Check Your Connectors

[94cobra69ss396]

I've been having some unusual problems with the Explorer for the last year or so. To top it off what I thought was a transmission problem turned out to be the transfercase. Anyways, while removing the trans I noticed that two of the harness connectors going to the trans had bare wires and the wires were touching. I'm sure this was contributing to some of my issues. So I went to Ford to see if they carried replacement connectors which they did but at over $75 a piece. So I went to the wrecking yard and cut the two I needed off another truck which cost me $4 each. Much better. I rewired in the new connectors so hopefully that will resolve my issues. I guess I'll find out once I finish installing the trans and transfercase.

The moral of this story is that you should check your connectors periodically. Especially ones that are under the car or truck like mine were. They get built up with oil, dirt, etc. that eats away the insulation and exposes the wires. I had this same issue when I first bought the Cobra.

Old connector.

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/2011-03-30_15_03_21.jpg

New one.

http://www.motorgen.com/pic/data/500/2011-03-30_15_02_11.jpg

[Vettezuki]

Good advice. Do you have a heat gun? That shrink tubing doesn't look so tight around the wire in the pic. :huh:

[enkeivette]

I had a similar problem on the Vette. It was causing lazy starting. The connector tips were corroding.

The fix was to cut the connector out and solder the wires directly together. It was just a connection between the engine harness and the firewall. No need for it.

Pretty common fix on C3s.

[jedhead]

I used this stuff Stabilant 22 for electrical connections. It will eliminate any connection problems. I solved many intermittent problems with this stuff.

http://www.stabilant.com/bccomp.htm

Bob

[94cobra69ss396]

Good advice. Do you have a heat gun? That shrink tubing doesn't look so tight around the wire in the pic. :huh:

I do have a heat gun and they are tight. I think it's just the crappy cell phone pic that makes it look that way. I also used wire loom ot it and then electrical tape so it's all sealed.

[94cobra69ss396]

I used this stuff Stabilant 22 for electrical connections. It will eliminate any connection problems. I solved many intermittent problems with this stuff.

http://www.stabilant.com/bccomp.htm

Bob

I haven't had any issues inside the Ford plugs. They seem to do a good job sealling the connectors and use dielectric grease on the insides to reduce contamination.

[enkeivette]

You should see what some of the connectors looked like on my boat that I had to replace. Green copper, worn all they way down to a couple of strands.