FIREWALL WIRE HARNESS WORN

[Dave Henderson]

Midyear Convertible, the driver-side firewall wire harness plug has a loose prong (upper row right) which now is receding into the firewall and causing the connection to fail, hence my interior lights, brake lights and tail lights only work intermittently. It appears that this conector is a permanent part of the firewall, can anyone suggest a fix? I am considering stuffing a nail inside the loose prong to wedge it in the extended position as a rig repair, but was hoping perhaps this might be a part I could install from under the dash for a long-term permanent fix. Thanks for any help.

Lights out in LA

[Gene M.]

Re: FIREWALL WIRE HARNESS WORN

Dave, The connection half mounted at the firewall is removable from the interior side. It's the back side of the fuse panel. Screws secure it in place.
If the problem terminal has not melted the plastic housing things are simple to fix. Small needle nose pliers and a little time you can reset and shape the terminal to engage properly. Use Tarn-X to clean the contacts using the wifes tooth brush. Be sure to rinse good (brake cleaner works well). Both sides of the connection should be cleaned to insure good contact. If your housing is a little melted from heat build up from a bad connection, 5 minute epoxy can be used to position the terminal in it's original position. Of course you will have to hold it till epoxy hardens. Be sure to not close up and two connection still mate.

[Gene M.]

Re: FIREWALL WIRE HARNESS WORN

Dave, The connection half mounted at the firewall is removable from the interior side. It's the back side of the fuse panel. Screws secure it in place.
If the problem terminal has not melted the plastic housing things are simple to fix. Small needle nose pliers and a little time you can reset and shape the terminal to engage properly. Use Tarn-X to clean the contacts using the wifes tooth brush. Be sure to rinse good (brake cleaner works well). Both sides of the connection should be cleaned to insure good contact. If your housing is a little melted from heat build up from a bad connection, 5 minute epoxy can be used to position the terminal in it's original position. Of course you will have to hold it till epoxy hardens. Be sure to not close up and two connection still mate.

[Wayne W.]

Re: FIREWALL WIRE HARNESS WORN

A condition I call "Air Car Itis". You will find that the plastic has melted and also the connector has been hot. When it gets hot it looses its temper and eventhough straightened out will probably not work for long. Just unbolt the fuse box and solder in a length of wire. Run it through the old space in the connector to the outside and connect it to the wire on the other side. This allows you to plug up the connection like it was, and disguise the repair. The problem solved for ever.

[Wayne W.]

Re: FIREWALL WIRE HARNESS WORN

A condition I call "Air Car Itis". You will find that the plastic has melted and also the connector has been hot. When it gets hot it looses its temper and eventhough straightened out will probably not work for long. Just unbolt the fuse box and solder in a length of wire. Run it through the old space in the connector to the outside and connect it to the wire on the other side. This allows you to plug up the connection like it was, and disguise the repair. The problem solved for ever.

[Dave Henderson]

Re: FIREWALL WIRE HARNESS WORN

The terminal has 8 or so rows of 2 prongs, the top right prong is sliding in at least half way, leading me to think the heat warped the plastic housing and freed the prong. I can rig it for now and add it the permanent fix to the interior restore menu. Thanks good advice given, much appreciated.

[Dave Henderson]

Re: FIREWALL WIRE HARNESS WORN

The terminal has 8 or so rows of 2 prongs, the top right prong is sliding in at least half way, leading me to think the heat warped the plastic housing and freed the prong. I can rig it for now and add it the permanent fix to the interior restore menu. Thanks good advice given, much appreciated.