Saab: my 1985 saab..., transmission job, electrical connections

Question
QUESTION: hello,

My poor 1985 saab has had the transmission go out of it. I got my amazing mechanic from New Mexico to send me up a new to me transmission but here in Indiana it is really, really, really hard to get anyone who wants to work on an old saab.

The latest mechanic is asking for a harness before he will work on the transmission, since apparently the current harness is really falling apart. Do you know of where I could get a used harness?
Thanks,
sheilah

ANSWER: Sheilah:
 I am not sure what you mean by a "harness". Can you provide a more complete description?  I have rebuilt/replaced  many SAAB transmissions of that era and have never used [nor needed] anything called a "harness".

         Hope this helps,
         Jerry

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The harness is the thing that all electrical is attached too. The mechanics here in indiana say that my harness (the wires) is too old and flaking and they need a new one before they will touch the transmission.
I know if my car were in new mexico scott would have just fixed it, but in this case it is taking way more effort! and time. I haven't had my car in months.

thanks so much,
sheilah

Answer
Sheilah:
 I take the 'harness' to be the group of electrical connections that go to the engine. They would need to be disconnected to to the transmission job. Frankly, I think your mechanic is incompetent! I cannot imagine what "too old and flaking" means to a bunch of wires and connectors. The wires are copper & vinyl covered (not easily   biodegradable, so they,albeit old, do not "flake". If any wires are broken or corroded, they can be VERY EASILY spliced.

 Anyway, since the harness is attached to the car, I would not have one "as a spare" never having needed [see above] such.

 By the way, what city in Indiana are you?

  You would do well to find another mechanic.

         Jerry