Main power distribution wire splices

[xxmetal]

Howdy all! Digging through my wiring harness, I'm seeing these concerning splices under the dash.

 

Some of by big electrical problems have been with the coil staying energized w the key in "off" and loss of overall accessory power, so I'm looking for shorts/ground faults anyway. Are these crimps factory? If not l, what/where should they be? Wire diagram says that they *should* split off, but I don't think the factory used duct tape to insulate their splices, as I found here....

 

Thanks in advance!

[eaglescout526]

54 minutes ago, xxmetal said:

Some of by big electrical problems have been with the coil staying energized w the key in "off"

Make sure you don’t have the hood lamp plug plugged into the coil if your MJ isn’t equipped with the hood lamp. 
 

the factory did use duct tape on their splices…..and as are the crimps. It’s AMC, you have to think cheap when working on these Jeeps. 

[xxmetal]

27 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

Make sure you don’t have the hood lamp plug plugged into the coil if your MJ isn’t equipped with the hood lamp. 

The little courtesy lamps? I have one on the driver's side. Passenger side just has the connector for it sticking out of the harness

27 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

The factory did use duct tape on their splices…..and as are the crimps. It’s AMC, you have to think cheap when working on these Jeeps. 

That's appalling hahaha

[eaglescout526]

45 minutes ago, xxmetal said:

The little courtesy lamps? I have one on the driver's side. Passenger side just has the connector for it sticking out of the harness

No, there a wire for a work light under the hood. From time to time we get folks who don't know what the wire is for and plugs it into the spade terminal that is exposed on the coil and it will keep the coil on. Now if you suspect it from the dash side, you will want to check the actual ignition switch itself and make sure its not melted.

[gogmorgo]

Crimps like this are very common, not just with AMC or budget minded automakers, and they’re still used in current production vehicles. They’re usually pretty reliable as long as they don’t see exposure to moisture or much movement. 
Modern crimps are a bit better but the methods of insulation haven’t really improved much, other than the plastics in use aren’t 40 years old. Fabric reinforced “duct” tapes are honestly better than the cheap electrical tape most DIYers are using.

[schardein]

AMC Jeep CJs had silver duct tape covering factory splices in the wiring harness.  Comes up all the time in the forums.

Sort of related-

I use adhesive lined heat shrink for the majority of my splices.  For the times I need to use tape, I have a couple types/brands that I use depending on the application.

I started using this Tesa tape recently and think it's a good product.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I2MLN2Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1