Electrical Connectors

Superman · 02-28-2003, 09:31 AM

Automotive manufacturers use a variety of electrical plugs. Commonly they are squarish-shaped and contain one or more female "flat" or "spade" connectors. These female connectors are crimped onto the wire, and embedded in the plastic square-ish plugs. Actually they are just slipped into the square plastic plugs, and they lock into place via a tab that pokes upward from the female spade connector. Special tools exist that can be inserted between the square plastic plug and the female connector, to release the tab and allow us to remove the connector from the plug.

From time to time I have a desire to replace these connectors without replacing the entire plug. It's not that I'm cheap (yes, I am cheap), but rather that I dislike cutting and crimping and using electrical tape or even shrink tube if I don't have to. Yes, I could just find a new plug and cut the wires and crimp or solder them on, but I'd rather do a factory-looking job.

In order to do a factory-looking job, I would need to find a source for these small female spade connectors that have the tab on the back that locks them into the square plastic plug. My problem is that no one seems to have any idea where to get these things. My local electronics store looks at me as if I am from outer space when I ask about them. I cannot believe they are not available. The reason I cannot accept this is because these connectors are on virtually every automobile I have ever seen. The industry produces a bazillion of them.

Does anyone know where female connectors can be found that have the locking tab feature? Sorry for all the words. Some folks think I can be verbose at times.

Wil Ferch · 02-28-2003, 09:39 AM

I've had luck getting all sorts of electrical stuff from :

http://www.waytekwire.com/

--Wil Ferch

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

Try the following companies.. Parker, Cinch, Tyco and Sumitomo.
all these companies make automotive connectors..

Jorge (Targa Dude)

Early_S_Man · 10:36 AM

AMP originated the Faston connector used worldwide ... unfortunately, now a division of Tyco! Click on the drawing icon [PDF recommended] to see the 0.250" connector you desire:

http://ecommas.tycoelectronics.com/commerce/DocumentDelivery/DDEController?Action=ecatdrawselcritrslt&Part=160739-1

Hockey fan · 02-28-2003, 10:41 AM

Warren,

Thanks for posting the link to a picture. That same connection is broken on my distributor and I've been trying to find one locally. Seems like a pretty tiny item to order online.

Does anyone know where you can actually pick one up in person? I tried the local auto store but all they had were the basic connectors.

Jeff

KTL · 02-28-2003, 11:01 AM

You could try Imperial Inc. too.

http://www.imperialinc.com/grp187.shtml

They sell all sorts of automotive sealed elec. connectors.

I'll second Wil's recommendation of Waytek Inc.

They sell high quality stuff, have bulk discounts, and ship each handful of terminals you purchased in a nice ziploc bag with part #'s. Top notch company in my opinion.

Waytek's online catalog is great once you figure out the tricks to using it.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Superman,
At one time I built and sold electrical interface harnesses for the electric Aero mirror upgrade. This required me to use the same connectors as Porsche. I ended up getting them at Stoddard in Ohio. The connector housings were sold separate from the pins and the pricing was surprisingly reasonable.
Give them a call, they are very customer oriented, whether spending 50c on an obscure bolt or $100k on a new car.
Rick

http://www.*************/
Phone: 440-951-1040

Superman · 02-28-2003, 12:33 PM

You guys are the best. ("guys" in this sense is meant to connote a gender-neutral term)

Early_S_Man · 03-01-2003, 11:30 AM

JIm,

Hella sells the .250" Faston connectors with the locking tab in boxes of 100, pn 87272 ... on p. 129 of their 2002 catalog. The .110" Faston is available in boxes of 50, pn 87271, and the .375" Faston is also available in boxes of 50, pn 87269. The pertinent section in PDF format is located here:

http://www.hellausa.com/maineng/lev1b/lev2bb/lev3bbf/catalog02/ElecProd2.pdf

Since Wayne and the guys at Pelican handle Hella products ... they should be able to get them for us!