Electrical Spaghetti Mess

Par911 · 03-14-2004, 12:52 PM

I have been having problems with my fuel pump relay socket. Since it was fried, the relay wasn't making proper contact. So I decided to replace the fried socket with a new one that I ordered from Pelican. When I looked at the wires for the fuel pump socket in the fuse box, I noticed there are some wires coming off of it that aren't on the relay socket I ordered from Pelican. For instance there is a fat yellow and black wire that is not connected to the relay socket from pelican. So I am wondering, is there still a way to connect this socket even though it doesn't have the yellow and black wires, or am I SOL?

Jim Sims · 03-14-2004, 01:16 PM

Yes, you can make it work and that is the only replacement socket commonly available. You need to determine which wires in the old socket go to the various socket holes or terminals; you can do this by using the wiring diagram for your car or you can cut the wires on the old harness (cut them close to the old socket) and use a continuity light or VOM to match the the wire to the socket hole. Then connect the wires to the correct wires on the new socket, some of the wire colors will change. I recommend soldering the wires then slipping down a piece of shrink tubing (which you have installed on the wire before soldering) over the solder joints to make tight well insulated joints. Cheers, Jim

Par911 · 03-14-2004, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Then connect the wires to the correct wires on the new socket, some of the wire colors will change.

Thank you Jim. Can you help me understand one thing? After I have figured out which wires go to what socket hole, then do I run two or more wires into one of the five wires from the one I bought, since there are 9 wires on the original socket and 5 on the one from pelican. Is there anything wrong in doing so?

Jim Sims · 03-14-2004, 07:13 PM

"then do I run two or more wires into one of the five wires from the one I bought, since there are 9 wires on the original socket and 5 on the one from pelican"

Yes, that is correct. Two or more wires may join. Just make sure that the wires connect to the correct socket holes.

Jim

Par911 · 03-14-2004, 08:09 PM

Thanks again Jim, I owe you a beer. I know it's a little out of your way but are you going to be at Hershey this year?

Jim Sims · 03-14-2004, 08:33 PM

There's a chance if I'm on business back East but it's really not very likely that I'll be at Hershey. Thanks for the offer; I hope your socket wiring job goes well. Jim