HELP ! Lights not working.

[m37jarhead]

Went through all of the Douglas connectors in the engine bay yesterday.
Most, if not all, of the rubber grommets have failed.
None, I repeat NONE, of the grommets were in as new condition.
Many had split apart, exposing metal to metal contact. Others
had multiple minor and major splitting.

For lack of a better solution, I used shrink wrap tubing in place of the
deteriorating rubber grommets. Two layers of shrink wrap. First
shrink tube I used the smallest diameter tube, then a slightly larger
diameter tube over that. Two layers kept the wire from pulling
through the metal ring under the Douglas shell.

Next chore.... all of the rest of the Douglas connectors under the dash
and elsewhere.



Jerry Bubolz
Gilbert, AZ. USA

[sturmtyger380]

I thought Joe sold the business to someone else. Are using an old e-mail address or one from their web site?

Now you got me scared as I still have my harness in its box as I am not to the point of running wire yet. Alan

[milstencil]

I think we might be holding our hand on the proverbial "where the sun don't shine"
Check the new address:
email: info@vintagewiring.com

FAX: 207.465.3431

3232 Kittyhawk Rd #8, Wilmington, NC 28405
Rick

[m37jarhead]

I think we might be holding our hand on the proverbial "where the sun don't shine"
Check the new address:
email: info@vintagewiring.com

FAX: 207.465.3431

3232 Kittyhawk Rd #8, Wilmington, NC 28405
Rick

Thanks Rick. Messages were sent to Joe's email. Probably not correct now.
I'll send a message to info@vintagewiring.com and see what happens.

[just me]

So far, the best price I have gotten on correct Cloroprene grommets is a scary 2.52 each. Still working on this.

[Elwood]

So far, the best price I have gotten on correct Cloroprene grommets is a scary 2.52 each. Still working on this.

Thanks for continuing to work on this project.

Perhaps the new owners of Vintage Wiring either already have a source or solution, or would be interested in participating or finding a cheaper source?

I really don't want to have to double shrink tube replace all of the grommets on my new harness.

[w30bob]

Well...........I just checked the MTA Vendors info page and as of right now Vintage Wiring doesn't hasn't reserved a space at the MTA meet. I'm starting to wonder if Vintage has gone bust? If I get some time at work today I'll try giving them a call.

regards,
bob

[milstencil]

Bob,
Here's some helpful info:
Registrant Name: Mike Gorman
Registrant Organization: Vintage Wiring
Registrant Street: 3232 Kittyhawk Rd #8
Registrant City: Wilmington
Registrant State/Province: North Carolina
Registrant Postal Code: 28405
Registrant Country: US
Registrant Phone: +1.9197471585

It has a different phone than the 207 area code on the web site.
Rick

[m37jarhead]

UPDATE !! 4/7/16

I received a reply to my email from Mike at Vintage Wiring.
He is sending me new grommets. Hope the new ones are
longer lasting quality. It is the right thing for them to do.

Email: vintagewiringcompany@gmail.com

Jerry Bubolz
Gilbert, AZ. USA

[w30bob]

Jerry,

That's good news! It means VWM is still a viable company (also good news). Was Mike aware of the problem or did he not say? You might want to take one of the grommets and hang it outside somewhere........and then check its condition every few weeks. If it starts to deteriorate it'll tell you to check your truck wiring before something shorts again.

regards,
bob

[m37jarhead]

Jerry,

That's good news! It means VWM is still a viable company (also good news). Was Mike aware of the problem or did he not say? You might want to take one of the grommets and hang it outside somewhere........and then check its condition every few weeks. If it starts to deteriorate it'll tell you to check your truck wiring before something shorts again.

regards,
bob

Bob:
Mike only said: ... "so many variables it's hard to know what caused the problem."
He did not comment on if he knew about the problem.
Hanging one of the "new" grommets outside is a VERY good idea.

Jerry

[milstencil]

Guys,
I have to chime in here.
I replaced my harness about 5 years ago and I am concerned
When was the suspect "bad" grommet found, how old was the harness and where was the bad connection?
Did you have to go through the whole harness to find it?
The "new" vendor said "there are so many variables". No , you had a defective lot,
and how many harnesses were these used in
Did you buy 5,000 or 50,000 at that time? Knowing Joe he bought the 50,000.
That's a lot of harnesses, counting M38, M38a1, M151, M211 and M135's in the mix.
This is a fire hazard if the "wrong one" goes bad
Who's going to pay for my truck, OR even the garage if it catches fire
24 volts is a bitch when it goes to ground
The original harness in my truck lasted 50 years, AND the wire went before the little
rubber grommet
I'm glad I'm not the new owner of VWM
Rick

[w30bob]

Hi Rick,

Jerry and I have been talking about this off forum. I'm concerned too. I think VWM has sold quite a few MV harnesses over the past few years and the response that Jerry got back from them doesn't seem to indicate that they acknowledge there's a problem or really want to know. Not the best attitude for a business owner to take if he wants to stay in business. I'll certainly talk to the VWM folks if they're at the MTA meet and/or Aberdeen........but those are the only 2 meets near me that I can attend in the Spring. I can catch them at Red Ball in the fall.....but that's it for me.

I'd like our moderators to make Jerry's post a sticky and highlight it with a warning so folks on this forum will be aware of the problem after this post sinks to the bottom in this section. I think the folks over on the G503 and Steel Soldiers sites should be made aware of the problem too. And if VWM doesn't acknowledge the problem and do the right thing I'd go as far as saying the MVPA should be contacted and be made aware of the issue.

But like I was telling Jerry...........I don't even own a VWM harness. So if I start running my mouth all over the web and call the MVPA I can be accused of slandering them. So MY options are a bit limited. You guys who own their harnesses have a much better leg to stand on in this regard. I'm not asking anyone to do anything outside their comfort zone, but I know that if I was a VWM customer I'd sure like someone to make me aware of the issue. I think I better leave it there until I talk to VWM. It's not fair to them for me to go assuming what they will or will not do.......or if they do or do not care about the issue. I'll get a better feel for those things when I talk to them (if they go to the meets).

To be continued.....I'm sure.

regards,
bob

[milstencil]

Bob and VWM harness owners,

It has already gone to the MVPA, from a friend who was sent a link to this conversation:
I forward this on to the M37 Tech advisor for the mvpa and let's see what they come up with.

This is serious crap. We paid big bucks for these harnesses, and if there is a problem the
manufacturer should stand behind his work.

If this was a car manufacturer you know there would be a recall just for the lights not working.

I know I will be in the garage this weekend checking some of the connections. My truck is garaged,
so its not out in the weather except to plow my drive way in the winter. Can you say SALT from
the treating of the road in front of my house???

Rick

[m37jarhead]

All VWM harness customers........

From what I can tell, VWM harness customers are in all parts of the USA.
So, weather like hot and dry in Arizona or cold, wet and salty in Mass. do
do seem to be likely candidates for the quickly deteriorating grommets.

As "Just Me" has suggested, the grommets on VWM harnesses are just
poorly formulated rubber, (plastic?). The "fix" is incredably easy. VWM just needs
to get with Newstar or another supplier to manufacture new high quality
rubber grommets. Installing the new grommets would not be much of a chore
when considering the alternatives of unreliability, and smoke, fire and property
losses. You know the lawyers are waiting in the wings.

Jerry