Electrical 7 pin plug contact issue

[peterg]

I've been fiddling with my 7 pin plug on the van as I getting random tail light failures. Blinkers not working, then no brake lights, the left blinker only and a range of other random combinations.

Amazing 7 steps to fix a 7 pin plug!

Step 1. Check wiring of plugs - all good.
Step 2. Have a beer - all good.
step 3. Look at contact surfaces inside female plug - all ok
Step 4. Have another beer - getting better.
Step 5. Look at male plug. Pins are split types Z - have another beer
Step 6. What a stupid idea. Go to step 7.
Step 7. Open up gaps in pins, plug in and check. ALL GOOD.

 

[cruza driver]

Sounds like every second step was a winner

 

[dagree]

Had a similar issue in February with the left indicator..... Checked everything out and still no good. Steps 2, 4 & 6 were completed prior to starting

Did the same with spreading the pin and no more probs..... Then onto Step 8!!!!!!

Unfortunately I started at the rear of the van and worked forward..... Keeping that fix in the memory bank!

 

[peterg]

@dagree Yeah I started at the rear as well but an old farmer across the caravan park must of heard me swearing. He came over and wedged a stick in the connected plugs and suggested I look at the plugs when I get to the next stop. He was either helpful or couldn't stand the swearing anymore!!!

 

[ShaneT]

L/H Indicator seems to be a common falt, I had to spread the pin on mine also.

 

[davemc]

interesting our left hand went the other week.. I pulled it apart checked looked ok.. then it worked.
Next time it goes I look at pins

 

[bigcol]

because we wiggle the connector to get it out, we slowly close the gaps on the pins......

 

[peterg]

In looking for something with a more positive connection I came across these. Seem to be from the USA. Anyone seen these in action in Australia before? Looks like one side is bent spring to provide the connection to the spade lug on the other side. Looks OK in theory.

 

[ShaneT]

Thats a nice looking unit, I like the finger hooks for pulling it out. As long as the terminals on the socket are spring steel you should never have a problem.

 

[dagree]

Also like the look of them @peterg

 

[bigcol]

oooooohhhh group buy??????

 

[twscoot]

because we wiggle the connector to get it out, we slowly close the gaps on the pins......

I always spray my coupling, exposed chassis, handbrake, kids, handbrake cable and the electrical plug connections on the van and car with Inox. Very versatile stuff….! Lubricates the pins and makes connections work.
I buy it in a 5 litre container and even coat my 6x4 trailer with it every 6 months or so from a spray pack and it looks new after ten years in open air.

http://www.inoxmx.com/applications-uses/electrical-applications-for-inox/

 

[dagree]

I always spray my coupling, exposed chassis, handbrake, kids, handbrake cable and the electrical plug connections on the van and car with Inox. Very versatile stuff….! Lubricates the pins and makes connections work.
I buy it in a 5 litre container and even coat my 6x4 trailer with it every 6 months or so from a spray pack and it looks new after ten years in open air.

http://www.inoxmx.com/applications-uses/electrical-applications-for-inox/

I'd be using Duct Tape on the kids @twscoot
But agree with Inox being the "Bee's Knee's"... Also great for spraying under the outboard motor cowling to protect the electrics!