Do i need to replace my entire harness or just splice the burnt part?

Question

my sister got a bmw recently that had a burnt harness due to a short in a lighting module under the dash. the lighting module seems to have been burnt in flames. along with the tip of the harness that goes to the module. should i replace the whole harness and lighting module or should i just replace the lighting module and splice the connector and wires from the section of the harness that is undamaged? i have already removed the interior. i can easily get the damaged connector and section of the harness at my friends junkyard. or my sister can pay 3000 dollars to buy the new harness. any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

well if its done right a splice would do but either way you want to go about it sure would try the least first wouldnt you 3000 is high when you might get it all  for 50

Answer 2

hi.. since you already have access,  i would repair. replacing the harness sounds more work and other things involved.. probably the insulation of the wires are melted some what.. but the wire connection is still attached.. i would just repair,  i would use shrink tubings to reinsulate the wires...if the module is bad i would replace that from a junkyard.  concentrate on that area of damage is easier i think. good project over a loud stereo to help concentrate..not to mention the money saved for something else.. enjoy.

Answer 3

I just completed splicing back together a 2002 Grand Am, that I wish I had had the whole harness for because the wires burnt back along the entire section of the harness.  But, in your case it makes more sense to replace the module and burnt sections of wiring.  I would urge that you look for sections of wire beyond the burnt area though to make sure that there isn't a short somewhere because something caused that to happen and that the burnt area is only in that section.  I hope that this helps.  Good Luck.