Wire harness tape isn’t like typical electrical tape, and often, it’s recommended that standard electrical tape shouldn’t be used in automotive applications. These differences include:

• Self-Bonding: Automotive harness tape doesn’t have a sticky adhesive like electrical tape. Instead, automotive tape bonds to itself, creating a watertight seal. Electrical tape on the other hand, when it’s heated up, can start to “weep” its adhesive, which creates a sticky mess inside the vehicle. Since the tape is self-vulcanizing, it is also easier to remove, which is ideal for faster automotive repairs.
• Heat-Tested: Automotive tape is designed to withstand extreme temperatures created by the engine block. Each type of tape is tested up to a certain temperature, and in addition, they’re flame retardant.
• Weather Proof: When applied properly, wire harness tape creates a weather proof seal. This protects the harness from engine fluids and oils that may seep onto the harness, as well as moisture that gets into the engine. Electrical tape isn’t designed to stringently protect against weather and moisture, and therefore, electrical tape is more likely to lose its adhesive and unravel from the harness.

In addition, these tapes are created using a variety of materials, including PVC and vinyl, and since they do not contain a sticky adhesive, they’re required to be wrapped more tightly.

Common Causes for Wire Harness Repair

In automotive applications, wire harness tape can be used in a variety of situations. Often, antique cars may need to have the wire harness rebuilt – which requires a new wrapping, once all proper wires have been spliced. After-market electrical components, like stereos, for instance, also require a new harness to be built, and many drivers choose to modify their wire harness. In addition, wire harness failures are also caused by:

• Extensive body damage: Most harness run inside body panels on a vehicle. Thusly, following accidents that cause extensive body damage, wires that are inside the body can be damaged as well.
• Improperly installed harnesses: After-market parts, for instance a new stereo, are often installed hastily with electrical tape. These quick-fix wire harnesses degrade more quickly and can lead to the need for wiring repairs.
• Water damage: This is a very common cause of electrical failure in vehicles, which requires the harness to be rebuilt. Water damage can be caused by rusted out body panels, which allow water to get to the harness, as well as plugged drain holes and water damage around sunroofs.
• Improperly routed wiring: Body repairs and major engine work often result in the need for removing wiring. In turn, these wires can become improperly routed when the vehicle is put back together. That can cause wires to be located closer to heat sources, resulting in electrical damage.

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