Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101
After reading AGENT86's post on his connector find, I searched through my engine bay and found the same problem. As a matter of fact, I have found this same problem on every early C4 I have checked. The insulation shrinks back exposing up to an inch of copper on the connector end.
Some CF'rs have used liquid tape and others wrapped with tape. I really wanted to get it right and started fiddling with the connector and discovered a "flap" on the side that opens with a little gentle coaxing. Once this flap is open the connector end still needs to be released with a pin or paperclip from the open end. Once free of the shell, its easy to slip a section of shrink tube over the wire and heat it up! The grease in these connectors is a dark material that was cleaned up and replaced with RTV DiElectric grease.
Whole job took less than an hour.
-JRC- :thumbs:
[Modified by JrRifleCoach, 11:22 PM 3/29/2004]
Some CF'rs have used liquid tape and others wrapped with tape. I really wanted to get it right and started fiddling with the connector and discovered a "flap" on the side that opens with a little gentle coaxing. Once this flap is open the connector end still needs to be released with a pin or paperclip from the open end. Once free of the shell, its easy to slip a section of shrink tube over the wire and heat it up! The grease in these connectors is a dark material that was cleaned up and replaced with RTV DiElectric grease.
Whole job took less than an hour.
-JRC- :thumbs:
[Modified by JrRifleCoach, 11:22 PM 3/29/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (AGENT 86)
Same problem on my 85, I got new connectors at Pep Boys and made sure the wire was up in the connector and shrink wrapped them. :thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (JrRifleCoach)
Cheap and easy jobs and saves a bunch of problems., replaced most all my connectors and weatherpacks... :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,170
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (AGENT 86)
:beatdeadhorse: Damn, your making me look bad. Why didn't i see that :beatdeadhorse:
:jester :cheers:
:jester :cheers:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,170
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (Netnarc2)
I have an '85. What connectors am I looking at and what caused you to check them? Maybe I should check mine too.
2. This is a known problem with early C4's
3. YES!
The insulation shrinks with age/time. The two connectors I found needing attention is located between the wiper motor and brake booster and the other is located on the firewall behind the battery. The wiper/booster relay connector is a PITA to access and is one that is always needing repair.
Check them all. Its worth the effort! Sorry I don't know the proper name for each connector/relay. I'm still learning myself.
-JRC-
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Team Owner
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (JrRifleCoach)
Because WE ARE too darn busy cleaning the wheel wells!! :lolg: :lolg: :lolg:
:leaving:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (JrRifleCoach)
The wiper/booster relay connector is a PITA to access and is one that is always needing repair.
-JRC-
-JRC-
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (CentralCoaster)
Because WE ARE too darn busy cleaning the wheel wells!! :lolg: :lolg: :lolg:
Youu laughin at me? I clean my wheelwells. :D
:leaving:
Youu laughin at me? I clean my wheelwells. :D
:leaving:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (CentralCoaster)
That's the fuel pump relay. Kind of essential to not being stranded on the side of the road scratching your head.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (dtorc4)
On my 85, I had two of the relay wires touch and it made my dash do weird stuff, I chased this problem for two days straight looking for a short to ground and it was the relay wires.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (CentralCoaster)
Because WE ARE too darn busy cleaning the wheel wells!! :lolg: :lolg: :lolg:
Youu laughin at me? I clean my wheelwells. :D
:leaving:
Youu laughin at me? I clean my wheelwells. :D
:leaving:
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim Ca
Re: Engine Bay Electrical Connectors 101 (vinnies87)
Yah!!! Well I've got you beat!!! I took my spare tire storage tray off and and Eagle 1'd it. You never know. Someone might look under the car. :crazy: Wait a minute. What's this got to do with Wiring 101. We got side tracked somewhere.
[Modified by Netnarc2, 9:10 PM 4/1/2004]
[Modified by Netnarc2, 9:10 PM 4/1/2004]