Resetting my DIC --- Laptrax install challenges --- help!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,040
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From: North Liberty IA
St. Jude Donor '07
Resetting my DIC --- Laptrax install challenges --- help!
I'm installing my replacement Laptrax (my original was one of the early ones with a minor problem) and I am finally getting around to routing the blue wire to the DIC to automatically reset the "competitive mode" message.
I've followed the instructions and have the blue wire over to the right spot and have unplugged the connector from the back of the DIC.
But I just can't reach it. I can get to it and get the red wire tap around the right place, but getting the blue wire in it and crimping it is just impossible. I just can't reach in far enough. I just about got myself trapped with my head under the dash and my legs straight up in the air. A little panic at that moment :)
I suspect I just need smaller arms, but short of an exercise program I can't see that happening.
Suggestions or thoughts??
Tom
I've followed the instructions and have the blue wire over to the right spot and have unplugged the connector from the back of the DIC.
But I just can't reach it. I can get to it and get the red wire tap around the right place, but getting the blue wire in it and crimping it is just impossible. I just can't reach in far enough. I just about got myself trapped with my head under the dash and my legs straight up in the air. A little panic at that moment :)
I suspect I just need smaller arms, but short of an exercise program I can't see that happening.
Suggestions or thoughts??
Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
Re: Resetting my DIC --- Laptrax install challenges --- help! (tscales)
Tom-
You are absolutely right. Basically, doing the blue wire is a job for a midget who is an emaciated contortionist. However, I am a regular sized slug, and I got it done. Apparently, you already have fished it across behind the radio and stuff. Using a stiff wire to fish with helped with that part. The trick from here on is to do it by feel. When you go up under the dash to get the wire that the blue wire will be connected to, you will feel two fold-over tabs that hold that wire harness in place. A small mirror on a stick like your doc uses to look down your throat is a real help here - I'm a doc, so I happened to have one, but it would be easy to put something like that together. Bend the tab down enough to loosen up the wire that you need. It is then possible to get the crimp-on connector on and snap it down with a small pliers entirely by feel if you take your time. Having done so, slip the connected wires back under the tab, and you are done with the hard part.
I had actually given up on the thing until I got a look at it with the mirror and realized that I could just do it by feel once I knew where everything was. BTW, it is a really nice feature, and the Laptrax is the perfect solution to a serious problem. I installed it right after I came within a gnat's butt of being nailed from behind when active handling unexpectedly pulled power.
You are absolutely right. Basically, doing the blue wire is a job for a midget who is an emaciated contortionist. However, I am a regular sized slug, and I got it done. Apparently, you already have fished it across behind the radio and stuff. Using a stiff wire to fish with helped with that part. The trick from here on is to do it by feel. When you go up under the dash to get the wire that the blue wire will be connected to, you will feel two fold-over tabs that hold that wire harness in place. A small mirror on a stick like your doc uses to look down your throat is a real help here - I'm a doc, so I happened to have one, but it would be easy to put something like that together. Bend the tab down enough to loosen up the wire that you need. It is then possible to get the crimp-on connector on and snap it down with a small pliers entirely by feel if you take your time. Having done so, slip the connected wires back under the tab, and you are done with the hard part.
I had actually given up on the thing until I got a look at it with the mirror and realized that I could just do it by feel once I knew where everything was. BTW, it is a really nice feature, and the Laptrax is the perfect solution to a serious problem. I installed it right after I came within a gnat's butt of being nailed from behind when active handling unexpectedly pulled power.
