Anyone fancy a spot of wiring in Oxfordshire?

Quicksilver said:
Rich, I'm pretty sure I'll be stuck at work on Saturday but I won't be going very far from our grain store so if you could come to me I'll willingly admire your handiwork and be on hand 'just in case'.
Click to expand...

That's probably the best suggestion Rich, learn by doing. Soldering is a handy skill to learn - must learn it myself one day (y)
 
Procomm said:
I would solder the joints and heat shrink them, its not like your going to change them back at a later date.
Click to expand...

That's actually a very valid point, Paul, and something that hadn't occurred to me. Problem is, I've no idea how to solder and learning on a car that I absolutely have to have functioning correctly may not be the best plan!
 
'tis a Ford so needs an earthing fault too.

Pejoratives aside it really is simple to do, I'd do it with spades though, that way you have a solid connection should you need to change the lamp unit in a hurry and won't need tools.

Use a coat hanger for running the wires, heatshrink any potential pinchpoints for a bit of physical projection.

If you use a block as a backup test that you can refit the lamp unit with the block in situ. Soldering is great but I'd practice on something a bit less critical first if you're not certain as a poor solder joint will be a lot less reliable than a well made crimp.


Regards,
Andy
 
Relliott6879 said:
That's actually a very valid point, Paul, and something that hadn't occurred to me. Problem is, I've no idea how to solder and learning on a car that I absolutely have to have functioning correctly may not be the best plan!
Click to expand...

I think that the solution you have - using an aftermarket multi-plug (which I'm guessing has friction-fit or clip connectors?) - is perfectly valid.

But next time I see you, I'm bringing a soldering iron, some solder and some scrap wire so you can play if you want to. It's not hard to do, but takes practice to do well.

One last thing for anyone who wants my opinion: For what its worth, if a solution works and it lasts, it's not stupid. Scotchlocks, repair blocks and soldering all have their place in my opinion. I would've used solder on my courtesy light loom, but I knew it wasn't going to be the last time I disturbed that circuit, so it made more sense to use a repair block that could be unscrewed and re-used.
 
actually having looked at the wiring diagram you may aswell just run the cables properly rather than joining them, you will be utilising the original connector and from what I can see ford already have the loom fitted so its just a case of connecting the new wires to the correct pins and jobs a good un (y)
 
Mako said:
I think that the solution you have - using an aftermarket multi-plug (which I'm guessing has friction-fit or clip connectors?) - is perfectly valid.
Click to expand...

Clip connectors mate, and big rubber seals. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130984528895?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Mako said:
But next time I see you, I'm bringing a soldering iron, some solder and some scrap wire so you can play if you want to. It's not hard to do, but takes practice to do well.
Click to expand...

That'd be greatly appreciated Chris, you're a gent.
 
Its Cool paul i leave the wiring and soldering to my mate since he is a spark and iam not,i will do simple taks but cant solder to save myself
 
pauldf1971 said:
Its Cool paul i leave the wiring and soldering to my mate since he is a spark and iam not,i will do simple taks but cant solder to save myself
Click to expand...

Can't imagine any situation where you'd need to solder or die! :LOL:

Unless you were joining the bomb disposal squad or something :rolleyes:

Not very likely though.......

That's it, I'm done..... :eek:
 
Procomm said:
actually having looked at the wiring diagram you may aswell just run the cables properly rather than joining them, you will be utilising the original connector and from what I can see ford already have the loom fitted so its just a case of connecting the new wires to the correct pins and jobs a good un (y)
Click to expand...

Are you saying run the wires from the facelift lights straight into the male multiplugs from the originals, therefore clipping into the existing female multiplugs on the car? If so then I'm afraid it's not an option. Ford, in their wisdom, formed the male multiplug into the moulding of the light cap, which in turn doesn't fit the new lights. :(
 
What I need to do next is cut the multiplugs off the car and fit the new ones.... and that's the part that scares me. Although it seems straightforward in theory, there is no option of this not working and once I've started I have to finish, or I'll have no rear lights. I obviously can't drive anywhere mid-task either, for the same reason. I spoke with Chris Prickett tonight, who made the very sensible suggestion of buying some scotch-blocks and cutting the multiplugs from the car with enough of a tail that I can re-join them to their original wires if absolutely necessary.


Rich, the best advice I can give you is to get some paper, draw the plug and make a note of what colour cables go to which pin before you remove them, that way worst case scenario you can put them back. Also take your time, its a 10 minute job for someone who knows what the are doing but getting it right is what counts (y)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.