Battery leaked acid, destroyed wire harness/wires

7990 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by retiredpauly, Jun 7, 2017

[email protected]

Discussion Starter · Dec 11, 2012

Well I finally found out why my headlights would not work, Acid ate the wire that controls it lol

Dealership said it would cost around $1800-$2k to fix .

This is what they typed up
There is an open in the ground between s173 and c106.
The Battery is leaking acid and has likely corroded the wire harness in this area.
Recommend further tear down and inspection.
Removed the battery, crossbar, and fuse box. Unwrapped harness to find multiple wires eaten in half by the battery acid. The acid has worked from the batter area into the harness. Because there are multiple wires (Including wires that are a twisted pair, 02 and/or Speed sensor wires,Replacement of the complete damaged wire harness is recommended. Battery and Tray Replacement also recommended.

My cars value is worth $3k at this point. Should I try to find some place to do this cheaper? Will I be able to sell it like to someone as long as I aware them of the damages? Figured I could get at least $1500 for it.

Would like to hear some suggestions on what to do. I currently have another car to drive so I don't need this vehicle for transportation.

Thanks

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77Impala

· #2 · Dec 11, 2012

a) I would try a different shop for the repair. Most any shop could even just splice in repair wire in just the affected area. Though you might need a connector or two. I believe the dealer is looking at replacing all the under hood wiring harness.

b) Yes you can sell it as is as long as you let the potential buyer know what they are up against before the deal is complete.

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auntjemima

· #3 · Dec 11, 2012

I would just hit a junkyard up and grab an engine harness there. The harness alone is probably the bulk of their charge.

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Ejbiers

· #4 · Dec 12, 2012

Yeah id get one from a junk yard and replace the thing myself

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Anonymous

· #5 · Dec 12, 2012

[email protected] said:
Well I finally found out why my headlights would not work, Acid ate the wire that controls it lol

Dealership said it would cost around $1800-$2k to fix .

This is what they typed up
There is an open in the ground between s173 and c106.
The Battery is leaking acid and has likely corroded the wire harness in this area.
Recommend further tear down and inspection.
Removed the battery, crossbar, and fuse box. Unwrapped harness to find multiple wires eaten in half by the battery acid. The acid has worked from the batter area into the harness. Because there are multiple wires (Including wires that are a twisted pair, 02 and/or Speed sensor wires,Replacement of the complete damaged wire harness is recommended. Battery and Tray Replacement also recommended.

My cars value is worth $3k at this point. Should I try to find some place to do this cheaper? Will I be able to sell it like to someone as long as I aware them of the damages? Figured I could get at least $1500 for it.

Would like to hear some suggestions on what to do. I currently have another car to drive so I don't need this vehicle for transportation.

Thanks

value - cost to fix = 1000-1200 would be at the most

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[email protected]

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 12, 2012

Well cost to fix is from dealership. I'm sure someone that buys it could fix it for cheaper.

Ps repairing a wire harness by myself is out of the question haha

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auntjemima

· #7 · Dec 13, 2012

The engine wiring harness is separate from the dash harness and body harness etc. Grab a used one and take the 30m to install it yourself.

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Ejbiers

· #8 · Dec 13, 2012

you can save yourself a $1500 loss wether you pay someone or sell it fixing it yourself will save you over $1500.

Say it takes you twice as long maybe takes you an hour. Thats $1500 an hour your getting paid to fix your own car man!

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[email protected]

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 17, 2012

I'm a complete noob when it comes to fixing cars. Would it be possible for me to install this myself? I don't know what part I even need.

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77Impala

· #10 · Dec 17, 2012

Yes you can. Get a "Engine Wiring Harness" from a salvage yard. Remove your current one and install the replacement.

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[email protected]

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 18, 2012

Alright gonna go check out a salvage yard. Can I get that part from any impala in the same generation, or do I need the same year?

Sorry for questions. I'm a car noob

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auntjemima

· #12 · Dec 18, 2012

Same engine. Same gen of course but make sure it's from the same engine size. I think that's all that should matter.

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draidean

· #13 · Jun 6, 2017

I just had the exact same problem and the mechanic told me the same thing...that it would cost 1-2k just for the part, not counting labor, and that I would have to take it to a dealer. He also said that repairing it would cost more than the car's worth. I was about to scrap it but then my dad went to a junkyard and found the part for $55.00. We changed it in about an hour (I am a total car repair noob too but after watching and helping my dad with this I could do it again by myself...it was not hard!) and she is now totally fine! I know this is a late reply but perhaps it will help someone else. And yes, the year of the car does matter. My dad told me that for mine (an '05), they only made that particular engine for two years and that the harness was different on others. So do try to find your same year's model, or look up which other ones are the same.

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