What's your favorite replacement electrical connector?
#1
What's your favorite replacement electrical connector?
Hello everyone,
I'm definitely shouldn't be alone in this: my electrical connectors are falling to pieces. Two of the two-pin connectors (the ones that have the flat contacts arranged in a "T") shattered and fell off, one of the six-pin connectors is on its way out, and I wouldn't be surprised if more were preparing to jump ship of SS Rotary Toaster Oven. It doesn't help that I'm in Arizona, where the heat and dryness is killing the plastics. I don't have the time and motivation to remove my dash to pull my entire harness and rewire everything, but that's still on my bucket list.
Anyways, what do you guys prefer to use if you need to replace an electrical connector in the engine bay? I hear "GM" or "Ford", but I don't hear part numbers and applications. Who makes the most durable? Which connectors are the least frustrating to work with? Are there any reasonably small connectors that lock with a screw instead of those brittle lock tabs that always break and stab your fingers?
Extra internet cookies available for connectors that are common and available.
I'm definitely shouldn't be alone in this: my electrical connectors are falling to pieces. Two of the two-pin connectors (the ones that have the flat contacts arranged in a "T") shattered and fell off, one of the six-pin connectors is on its way out, and I wouldn't be surprised if more were preparing to jump ship of SS Rotary Toaster Oven. It doesn't help that I'm in Arizona, where the heat and dryness is killing the plastics. I don't have the time and motivation to remove my dash to pull my entire harness and rewire everything, but that's still on my bucket list.
Anyways, what do you guys prefer to use if you need to replace an electrical connector in the engine bay? I hear "GM" or "Ford", but I don't hear part numbers and applications. Who makes the most durable? Which connectors are the least frustrating to work with? Are there any reasonably small connectors that lock with a screw instead of those brittle lock tabs that always break and stab your fingers?
Extra internet cookies available for connectors that are common and available.
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mkd (02-24-21)
#5
Yes, yes, yes, yes. Are these rated against heat and oil? If so, this might be exactly what I'm looking for. You said you were planning on using these, so you technically haven't yet? I'd like to hear from someone who has. Those seals are a big plus though. I might have to save my pennies so I can hoard a bunch of these.
And honestly, I don't mind paying up for good connectors. It's a weird quirk, but I like focusing on trifling details like this. That, and I f-cking hate working on old electrical connectors.
Oh I wish. If I were to get my hands on another used harness, I'd probably mangle it just trying to put it into the car and be stuck at square one all over again. That being said, a brand new harness from Mazdatrix is $767.13
Last edited by pzr2; 02-06-15 at 04:24 AM. Reason: Tidying things up
#6
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there are a few places that sell replacement stock connectors..
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#8
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I've built a couple harnesses from scratch using the Deutsch connectors, and they are very nice indeed. Only thing "better" would be full aluminum housing Mil-Spec stuff.
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lms-efi
Connectors
Fuel Injector Connectors, Nippon Denso Fuel Injector Connectors, Automotive Pigtail Connectors, Bosch Fuel Injector Connectors, Delphi Fuel Injector Connectors,Delphi Packard Multec2 Connectors, Honda Fuel Injector Connectors, Toyota Fuel Injector Co
between the 3 of them, you can practically get every connector in the car
Connectors
Fuel Injector Connectors, Nippon Denso Fuel Injector Connectors, Automotive Pigtail Connectors, Bosch Fuel Injector Connectors, Delphi Fuel Injector Connectors,Delphi Packard Multec2 Connectors, Honda Fuel Injector Connectors, Toyota Fuel Injector Co
between the 3 of them, you can practically get every connector in the car
#10
But yeah, I'm thinking Deutsch. Or maybe even a variety. The one thing that gets me is always having to figure out which one of 8 identical connectors goes to a specific plug. Provided they were all quality connectors, I might just use a variety of styles so I wouldn't mix them up.
lms-efi
Connectors
Fuel Injector Connectors, Nippon Denso Fuel Injector Connectors, Automotive Pigtail Connectors, Bosch Fuel Injector Connectors, Delphi Fuel Injector Connectors,Delphi Packard Multec2 Connectors, Honda Fuel Injector Connectors, Toyota Fuel Injector Co
between the 3 of them, you can practically get every connector in the car
Connectors
Fuel Injector Connectors, Nippon Denso Fuel Injector Connectors, Automotive Pigtail Connectors, Bosch Fuel Injector Connectors, Delphi Fuel Injector Connectors,Delphi Packard Multec2 Connectors, Honda Fuel Injector Connectors, Toyota Fuel Injector Co
between the 3 of them, you can practically get every connector in the car
#11
MECP Certified Installer
GM weatherpack connectors, and they are cheap too!
https://www.google.com/search?q=gm+w...ed=0CAcQ_AUoAg
https://www.google.com/search?q=gm+w...ed=0CAcQ_AUoAg
#12
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Holy smokes, aluminum? Where on earth would you source those?
But yeah, I'm thinking Deutsch. Or maybe even a variety. The one thing that gets me is always having to figure out which one of 8 identical connectors goes to a specific plug. Provided they were all quality connectors, I might just use a variety of styles so I wouldn't mix them up.
Looks like I need to work on my internet hunting skills. Thanks!
But yeah, I'm thinking Deutsch. Or maybe even a variety. The one thing that gets me is always having to figure out which one of 8 identical connectors goes to a specific plug. Provided they were all quality connectors, I might just use a variety of styles so I wouldn't mix them up.
Looks like I need to work on my internet hunting skills. Thanks!
#16
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#17
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Yeah. You can replace all the harnesses and connections between wires and you still end up with the regular stuff on solenoids, actuators, motors, sensors, etc.
It never ceases to amaze me how far people will go to make something reliable, and ignore worse offenders in the process.
Don't mean to **** on the thread, just trying to keep a balance.
It never ceases to amaze me how far people will go to make something reliable, and ignore worse offenders in the process.
Don't mean to **** on the thread, just trying to keep a balance.
#18
I wish I was driving!
Yeah. You can replace all the harnesses and connections between wires and you still end up with the regular stuff on solenoids, actuators, motors, sensors, etc.
It never ceases to amaze me how far people will go to make something reliable, and ignore worse offenders in the process.
Don't mean to **** on the thread, just trying to keep a balance.
It never ceases to amaze me how far people will go to make something reliable, and ignore worse offenders in the process.
Don't mean to **** on the thread, just trying to keep a balance.
The link is not particularly relevant to this thread, but it does discuss the mentioned weatherpack and deutsch connectors, so it has some merit.
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turns out they put rafters in the helicopter, and just tossed the wires over it, no harness, no bundle, no protection for any wires at all except the insulation.
so they need to have special wires and connectors because they use those to secure the thing, where in a car we have a nice harness with lots of clamps and supports and stuff
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mkd (02-24-21)
#21
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What I found interesting about that racecar wiring page were the loops to take tension off of the wires and the fact that the connectors they use are rated for lots of connect and disconnects. That does make a lot of sense, there are several crappy connectors on OEM cars that have failed with just a handful of removals. I never thought of either of those points when shopping for replacement connectors. If you have something you remove a lot, it may be prudent to get a connector with a higher rated use. If you aren't going to have little slack in your harness, that little loop may help with longevity.
#22
MECP Certified Installer
this one time, i went to an air show, and there was a helicopter there with a bunch of stuff in it, and i was excited to see how the military wires stuff. we hear mil spec all the time, so it must be cool right?
turns out they put rafters in the helicopter, and just tossed the wires over it, no harness, no bundle, no protection for any wires at all except the insulation.
so they need to have special wires and connectors because they use those to secure the thing, where in a car we have a nice harness with lots of clamps and supports and stuff
turns out they put rafters in the helicopter, and just tossed the wires over it, no harness, no bundle, no protection for any wires at all except the insulation.
so they need to have special wires and connectors because they use those to secure the thing, where in a car we have a nice harness with lots of clamps and supports and stuff
#23
That's a valid point. It's just that when you've addressed everything else (like the fuel pump, electrical grounding, precat, wastegate, cooling, etc.), this information is handy. I plan on redoing my wiring loom (among many other things...) when I do a battery relocation anyways, even if it's a while off in the future.
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For the Weatherpack vs Deutsch, it comes down to how often you think you'll me taking them apart in my opinion. Now, if you have less money Weatherpack are great connectors. So, if it's a case of under dash, or for lights, or anything that won't get messed with as often then you can go Weatherpack. Anything in the engine bay that will get clipped on and off a couple times a year you can go Deutsch. Me personally, I'm going Deutsch through out. I'm a piece of mind kind of guy, and knowing I'll be using what a lot of professional drivers use helps.
It is true though it's all in what people want. You can buy a connector off a Geo and as long as they connect together then you have a connection.
It is true though it's all in what people want. You can buy a connector off a Geo and as long as they connect together then you have a connection.
#25
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For the Weatherpack vs Deutsch, it comes down to how often you think you'll me taking them apart in my opinion. Now, if you have less money Weatherpack are great connectors. So, if it's a case of under dash, or for lights, or anything that won't get messed with as often then you can go Weatherpack. Anything in the engine bay that will get clipped on and off a couple times a year you can go Deutsch. Me personally, I'm going Deutsch through out. I'm a piece of mind kind of guy, and knowing I'll be using what a lot of professional drivers use helps.
It is true though it's all in what people want. You can buy a connector off a Geo and as long as they connect together then you have a connection.
It is true though it's all in what people want. You can buy a connector off a Geo and as long as they connect together then you have a connection.