USA64 wrote:What exactly is the purpose of wrapping the wires? I can understand how it would make assembly of the new car easier but is it necessary after that? Wouldn't it be easier and facilitate repair if the wires were just put in one of those split plastic conduits? I have a new, wrapped, harness which I am modifying somewhat. I'm thinking I will unwrap the harness for ease of access. Any advice would be welcome.
Tape wrap is certainly less expensive than split plastic conduits. And more flexible, in several meanings of the word. It also takes up less space.
This past summer I rebuilt my dash harness. While building the harness, I kept the wires together using short velcro strips wrapped around the runs. Then when I had the harness the way I wanted, I wrapped it.
FWIW, tape seems to be more commonly used behind the dash by the OEMs I'm familiar with (likely for space and sound/rattle reasons), and plastic conduits in engine bays and around the chassis (greater heat protection?).
Maybe I should have been, but I wasn't worried about access for maintenance. I was more worried about getting the harness right in the first place, and correctly fusing the circuits - so that maintenance wouldn't be necessary.