How to fix loose wire

[vanib]

I noticed twice this week that my left blinker would sometimes not work and then start working by itself after a few minutes.

Since I always make full use of my blinkers, I wanted to check what the problem was.

Seems like a loose connection in one of the wires at the connector for the ligth stalk. Just moving the wires would make the left blinker go off completely or blink faster.

How can I make the wires tight in the connector again? I tried removing the plastic rectangular "slot" but it just moved 1 mm up.

Any suggestions.

[vanib]

BTW, blinker = Flash, I believe the loose wire is the Orange wire (#11)

[veliksam]

Maybe fill it up with solder? Can't think of anything else at the moment.

Sent from my Nexus 7

[Rickl]

Originally Posted by vanib

I noticed twice this week that my left blinker would sometimes not work and then start working by itself after a few minutes.

Seems like a loose connection in one of the wires at the connector for the ligth stalk. Just moving the wires would make the left blinker go off completely or blink faster.

Originally Posted by vanib

BTW, blinker = Flash, I believe the loose wire is the Orange wire (#11)

Just to clarify, is this the 20 pin connector known as E12 on the wiring diagrams, and it is located under the dash near the steering column?

If that is correct, then the left flasher is activated by grounding pin #15 which is light green. The right flasher is activated by grounding pin #13 which is sky blue.The ground wire is connected to pin #12, and is White/Black in color just to the left of the sky blue wire in your photo.

Also the orange wire on pin 11 is the signal to turn on the high beams. Perhaps you saw the word flash on the drawing which means the "flash to pass" feature of the high beams. (pull the lever towards the driver momentarily)

Before risking any damage by bending pins or squeezing connectors, I suggest proving that the connector is where the problem is.

Does the left blinker stop working on both the front and rear of the vehicle, or is it only the dash indicator that doesn't flash.? Do the left sided signal lights flash normally when the 4way flashers are on.

I can't see how this connector is constructed, so here are a few guesses. The light green wire should be locked into the plastic connector with locking tabs. If these tabs have become damaged,and the wire keeps sliding out of the connector, it needs to be held in place by taping the wire to the adjacent wires. If you just have a poor connection, you can try squeezing the female connector a little tighter, or placing a slight bend in the male connector to create a tighter connection.

[Satavtech]

Originally Posted by Rickl

I can't see how this connector is constructed, so here are a few guesses. The light green wire should be locked into the plastic connector with locking tabs. If these tabs have become damaged,and the wire keeps sliding out the connector, it needs to be held in place by taping the wire to the adjacent wires. If you just have a poor connection, you can try squeezing the female connector a little tighter, or placing a slight bend in the male connector to create a tighter connection.

I was going to suggest slightly bending the contacts as well I've done it as a temp fix before. You're other option, if this is an inline connector and if you have enough slack is to remove the faulty wires and just splice them together.

Rick

[vanib]

That's right I assumed it was the Orange wire by seeing the word FLASH but strangely enough, it is when I jiggled the Orange wire that I was able to make the flash stop/start/blink faster.

So I simply taped the wires with black electrical tape to the connector so that they are snug. May be I also got the light green wire snug at the same time? Anyway, for now, I have my fix and don't plan to fool with it any more

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

[vanib]

Damn, I have the same problem again. So my solution lasted only one month

Good thing I have a garage where I can spend some time.

I took 3/4 inch 18 awg wire and stripped half of the wire off and pushed the uninsulated part down the connector at the green wire. I hoping that it will make the green wire more snug and create a better conducting path in case the green wire is somehow loose inside the connector.

We'll see how long this lasts.

[Willow]

You're not out of blinker fluid, are you?

[vanib]

The Ottawa freezing rain is getting to your brains.