Encapsulate in epoxy or wrap with electrical tape?

[grahamkissack]

Timmy2 has been good enough to help troubleshoot my broken 6 pin Lambda connector on my 1980 SC. The female part of the body is gone leaving just the hot pins on the male ends. Replacing this with a another aftermarket connector isn't going to happen without an engine drop (since its back on the fire wall so I need a medium term fix. Thinking about encapsulating it in epoxy (literally pour an epoxy block over it) or wrapping it with electrical tape. Thoughts? Thanks.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by grahamkissack

Timmy2 has been good enough to help troubleshoot my broken 6 pin Lambda connector on my 1980 SC. The female part of the body is gone leaving just the hot pins on the male ends. Replacing this with a another aftermarket connector isn't going to happen without an engine drop (since its back on the fire wall so I need a medium term fix. Thinking about encapsulating it in epoxy (literally pour an epoxy block over it) or wrapping it with electrical tape. Thoughts? Thanks.

Graham,

You could get the wire harness out from the car simply by having a partial engine drop to get access. The female side of the connector goes to the ECU wire harness. From inside the car, you could pull the complete ECU harness out from the fire wall by loosening the rubber grommet. I have a few of these wire harnesses taken from parts cars. This is how I recover these ECU harnesses from being cut.

Tony

[TJJSC]

This might be something to use: 3M™ Scotchcast™ Multi-Mold Resin, which is a resin especially made for waterproof (underwater) connections. You can buy them in 2 component split bags and is very easy to poor into a pre-made shape.

[dad911]

That would be a great job for a plastic printer. Know anyone with one?

Edit: How about some heat shrink tubing? I would not use epoxy, as it would no longer be servicable.

[turbo owner]

3m makes a product available at electric supply houses that is a sheet of rubber for waterproofing outdoor connections. This would do exactly what you need, if you can't find some local I'll send you a sheet.

[SpyderMike]

Heatsink the whole thing. Can you get heatsink on the individual exposed sections? If so, then I would do those and the the entire connection.

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

Heatsink the whole thing. Can you get heatsink on the individual exposed sections? If so, then I would do those and the the entire connection.

If you decide to go this route, I have some 1 1/2" diameter heatsink tubing that you can have. It has a 3 - 1 shrink ratio and has an adhesive lining that melts and sticks when heated. If you want a piece of this stuff, PM me your mailing address.

[Avanti]

Liquid Electrical Tape? I love this stuff. Similar brands at Home Depot.

Amazon.com: Gardner Bender LTB-400 4-Ounce Black Liquid Electrical Tape: Home Improvement

[Tidybuoy]

In my opinion, I would just use electrical tape since it is a "temporary" repair. I would not use the epoxy since you loose some of the wire length and you would also loose the ability to see which wires goes where.

If you have access to a local wrecking yard, you might go there and see if you can find a plug like that off of a 944. It looks exactly like the power seat plug as well as several other plugs.

[timmy2]

just use electrical tape for now. It was never a watertight connection anyways...

[porterdog]

Note well that electrical tape comes in varying grades. Check McMaster-Carr and buy the good stuff.

[Jcslocum]

However you seal it up, make sure it's tied down or off securely so it can't chafe and burn the car up somehow. I would tape it by the way. Maybe a whole roll!!

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by porterdog

Note well that electrical tape comes in varying grades. Check McMaster-Carr and buy the good stuff.

3M Scotch 33+ is the BOMB, the only electrical tape I will use. Long history with good old fashioned union electricians working day in and day out.

[timmy2]

3m 33 is what I use as an electrician at work. Available at Lowes...
Don't use the entire roll, just enough to secure it.
I am working with a few contacts to see if anyone has a set of male and female plugs and covers for me to make molds of and cast a few. One person said it would be about a month until they will be home to be able to check...

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by timmy2

3m 33 is what I use as an electrician at work. Available at Lowes...
Don't use the entire roll, just enough to secure it.
I am working with a few contacts to see if anyone has a set of male and female plugs and covers for me to make molds of and cast a few. One person said it would be about a month until they will be home to be able to check...

Dennis,

It is raining outside and probably the whole day. I will retrieve the box of wiring harnesses stored in the shed and send the '80 SC wire harness to you. Please send it back to me after you are done with the project. Keep it till I get back from my trip. BTW, PM me your address. I might have it some where but send it to me anyway to save me from looking. I got a few hours left before going to the airport. Will advise of the tracking number later today.

Tony

[timmy2]

Tony,
You are awesome. I will get these things made while you are gone and send everything back to you when you get back. Plus a few new connectors for doing this.
Shipping info sent by email.