How do I route a wire from engine bay into footwell?

[GLK]

Just to clarify - this is for W169 (well, C169, if one wants to be pedantic), so the battery compartment with fuse box is under the driver's feet, and there's no large opening with bunch of wires going into the engine bay, as in larger cars.

 

[area51]

Coming back to the original question ...

I see the OS rubber grommet is in two parts, so it must be possible to unclip it?

Surely someone knows how to do it ... I can't risk just pushing a wire through it - what if it tears something up, etc

I'd really appreciate a professional guidance here chaps!

Do you have access to that grommet inside the car, it looks to be quite high up on the bulkhead? If you run the wire(s) through it, do you have a safe route to the battery compartment, clear of steering parts etc?

 

[area51]

Just to clarify - this is for W169 (well, C169, if one wants to be pedantic), so the battery compartment with fuse box is under the driver's feet, and there's no large opening with bunch of wires going into the engine bay, as in larger cars.

If the W169 loom is similar to the 168 then the main loom exits the battery compartment into trunking that runs along the centre of the floor directly under the centre console.

 

[GLK]

Do you have access to that grommet inside the car, it looks to be quite high up on the bulkhead? If you run the wire(s) through it, do you have a safe route to the battery compartment, clear of steering parts etc?

Yes, it right up at the top, just under the OS wiper.
And getting tangled with moving parts or damaging other wires is my main concern.

There might be a way in through the NS grommet, as it takes the [smooth and un-taped] washer pipe in, so it should be possible to slide a pre-lubricated wire alongside?

 

[area51]

Yes, it right up at the top, just under the OS wiper.
And getting tangled with moving parts or damaging other wires is my main concern.

There might be a way in through the NS grommet, as it takes the [smooth and un-taped] washer pipe in, so it should be possible to slide a pre-lubricated wire alongside?


Not 100% certain but the washer pipe will most likely be taped to the loom inside the car, although getting the extra wires through the grommet itself should be ok. This then leaves the added problem of running the wires across the car behind the dash..

 

[GLK]

Not 100% certain but the washer pipe will most likely be taped to the loom inside the car, although getting the extra wires through the grommet itself should be ok. This then leaves the added problem of running the wires across the car behind the dash..

Ah, that I can do myself As long as I can get a wire through ...

Alternatively, to avoid all these complication, maybe I should just try to pick an ignition switched positive from inside the engine bay? It just I would've preferred to have a manual OFF switch for the DRLs, and a dedicated fuse tap in the box - much neater setup, I think.

PS Now you know, why I wanted to do a "joint DRL install" session - a couple of things here is simply beyond my expertise level ... LOL

 

[area51]

Ah, that I can do myself As long as I can get a wire through ...

Alternatively, to avoid all these complication, maybe I should just try to pick an ignition switched positive from inside the engine bay? It just I would've preferred to have a manual OFF switch for the DRLs, and a dedicated fuse tap in the box - much neater setup, I think.

PS Now you know, why I wanted to do a "joint DRL install" session - a couple of things here is simply beyond my expertise level ... LOL

I would worry about giving an ECU a headache if looking for an ignition live in the engine bay..


Very sorry about the joint drl install, I have a (long) list of work that I need to get sorted on my A160, preferably before winter sets in.

 

[GLK]

No worries, it might do me good to tackle the thing by myself

I'll see if I can gently push through alongside the washer pipe ...

 

[GLK]

I'm having no joy whatsoever with this - I do not want to force a wire through (it's too flexible anyway) and it's just not going in with gentle pushing.

Does anyone know if it is possible to route a wire over the wheel arch lining from inside the car?

Alternatively, is there a safe point I can pick up a switched positive inside the engine bay? Windscreen washer pump, or wiper motor, perhaps?

 

[gIzzE]

Can't you take everything you need from the back of your headlights?

 

[GLK]

Can't you take everything you need from the back of your headlights?

Not really - I need an ignition on switched positive, and headlights are powered by SAM, and could be (and are) on before, and after, the ignition is turned on and off.

I am getting a trigger signal (dipped beam positive from headlight connector), but that's only to tell the DRL controller to dim the LEDs.

Ideally I'd prefer to have a switched positive routed from a fuse tap in the battery compartment, and to have an override off button for DRLs ... but I can live without an off switch, if I can pick a safe 'ignition on' in the engine bay.

 

[gIzzE]

I have always pulled the carpet back on the passenger side footwell and there is usually loads of holes with grommets in them to pull cables through.
All my cars have had this, have you looked there?

 

[area51]

Another possibility, although this involves some work

Assuming the cable/loom layout on your W169 is similar to my 168, the main battery cables exit the side of the battery compartment and join the engine loom under the car.

It would be necessary to lower the panelling under the car to access this and perhaps run the new wiring alongside the battery cables/engine loom.

 

[GLK]

I have always pulled the carpet back on the passenger side footwell and there is usually loads of holes with grommets in them to pull cables through.
All my cars have had this, have you looked there?

Thanks, it was in my plans - I'm going to check it out next week.
The fact that, W169 has its battery under the driver's feet, makes certain things easier, but complicates others ...

Assuming the cable/loom layout on your W169 is similar to my 168, the main battery cables exit the side of the battery compartment and join the engine loom under the car.

It would be necessary to lower the panelling under the car to access this and perhaps run the new wiring alongside the battery cables/engine loom.

I have no facilities to raise the car and work under it here, but am going to a known local indy in about 10 days time, so if I'm not able to do it myself before that, we'll have a look together ...

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Are you not just going to wire them up like I will mine mate? As in wire them up in the bay and leave them to it

 

[GLK]

Are you not just going to wire them up like I will mine mate? As in wire them up in the bay and leave them to it

Your battery is in the engine bay - makes it so much easier ... mine is in the cab, inside the "sandwich floor", under the driver's feet








Makes it a doodle to put up a custom harness for hard-wired dashcams, satnav and a GPS tracker though

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Your battery is in the engine bay - makes it so much easier ... mine is in the cab, inside the "sandwich floor", under the driver's feet Makes it a doodle to put up a custom harness for hard-wired dashcams, satnav and a GPS tracker though

Ahh yes I see now

So it's just the issue of feeding the necessary cables through. Tried the old wire method? Carpet tape to a wire metal hanger (straightened) and poke through the hole?

I have metal hangers if you need some, purposely bought to change the dull grey pull strings on my gym trousers to nice white laces

 

[GLK]

So it's just the issue of feeding the necessary cables through. Tried the old wire method? Carpet tape to a wire metal hanger (straightened) and poke through the hole?

I have metal hangers if you need some, purposely bought to change the dull grey pull strings on my gym trousers to nice white laces

Thanks, I have a few from dry cleaning places, but am seriously concerned about poking a wire through, without knowing where it would end up, or what it might catch on its way - the A class is very tightly packed (hence all the complaints about engine out bulb change jobs), existing cable grommets (the ones that I can see) leave no chance to push anything through them ...

I'm going to remove footwell carpet and trims next week, starting with OS, to see if there are some options there, if not, then as Chris suggested: follow the existing route from the battery box, which will require raising the car and taking off undertrays ...

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Oh I see, you can see where you're needing to feed it through but beyond that you can't see it efficiently enough

Well if you need help on a weekend and need an extra pair of hands I'm more than happy to help, apart from this weekend as I'm in Amsterdam! But after that I'm free

 

[GLK]

Thanks, that's very kind! I might take you up on that offer!