Plastic bridge on wiring harness

[conlopez]

Im trying to remove my valve cover, there is wiring in the back with a plastic bridge around it I can't get off. Also the black tube with the wiring for the fuel rail on the right won't pop up.

 

[CodaMan]

That "bridge" is a PITA, but it will come off. It's just clipped on as 2 pieces. Many cut it off and leave it off.

 

[Wire4money]

I loosened the wiring harness (I think to the injectors) to get enough slack to get the valve cover off.

 

[Rubicon88]

Grip it and rip it.

 

[conlopez]

I was able to break each clip with a flathead, Im thinking getting that black tubing to put on the wires now. Thanks for the responses.

 

[Captain Phoenix]

Many cut it off and leave it off.

Is there any reason not to? Does the valve cover get hot enough to need a heat shield?

 

[GoldenGorilla]

Is there any reason not to? Does the valve cover get hot enough to need a heat shield?

It's not a heat shield. I'm guessing an engineer from Chrysler had a brainwave that they could save $0.50/unit on wire if they shorted the harness slightly, but it needed some protection from wear via vibration. The plastic bridge (which probably cost $0.02 to make originally) serves that purpose. But this is still an area in the TJ where the wiring harness seems to see wear and breakages.

I do hate that bridge.

 

[Sean B]

It's not a heat shield. I'm guessing an engineer from Chrysler had a brainwave that they could save $0.50/unit on wire if they shorted the harness slightly, but it needed some protection from wear via vibration. The plastic bridge (which probably cost $0.02 to make originally) serves that purpose. But this is still an area in the TJ where the wiring harness seems to see wear and breakages.

I do hate that bridge.

There is a nice write up in the how to section about how to remove the wiring bridge. I found it helpful as you can’t really see it well. Hopefully the link works.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...k-plastic-wiring-bridge-on-valve-cover.53776/