Connector Troubleshooting

Continuity Check:

1. Using a digital multimeter, check that no voltage is present between the connector terminals and ground. If voltage is present, remove the appropriate fuse or disconnect negative lead from battery.

2. Measure the resistance between mating terminals by back-probing both sides of a connector cavity location.

3. A low resistance (approximately zero ohms) indicates terminal continuity is good.

4. If the circuit fails the continuity check, perform a visual inspection to locate the problem.

Short Circuit Check:

1. Verify that the radio code is available, then disconnect the battery.

2. Reference the circuit of interest in the ETM for the vehicle.

3. Identify each terminal configuration and device connected to the circuit and unplug the connector to electrically isolate the circuit from the vehicle.

4. Using a digital multimeter, measure the resistance between the affected circuit and a good vehicle ground. If the reading is lower than 100 K ohms, a short to ground exists. Locate and rectify the cause of the problem.

NOTE:
Pay attention to circuits in adjacent cavities of connector housings and to circuits common to a particular header junction.

5. Using a digital multimeter, measure the resistance between the affected circuit and any related circuits. If any reading is lower than 100 K ohms a short circuit exists. Locate and rectify the cause of the problem.

Detecting Intermittent (Power Off):

1. Using a digital multimeter, check that no voltage is present between the connector terminals and ground. If voltage is present, remove the appropriate fuses or disconnect negative lead from battery.

2. Measure the minimum and maximum resistance between the two points in question.

3. Wiggle the connector and wiring harness to the connector. If the resistance reading varies, perform a visual inspection to locate problem.

Detecting Intermittent (Power On):

1. Use a digital multimeter to measure the minimum and maximum voltage between the two points in question.

2. Wiggle the connector and wiring harness to the connector. If the voltage reading varies, perform a visual inspection to locate problem.

Visual Inspection:

1. Both halves of the connector must be fully seated.





2. The connector lock tab must be fully seated (Figure 2).

3. Check connector body for damage.

4. Separate connector halves and check that the terminals and connector are free of dint and corrosion. An under-hood or under-body connector that shows contamination should be replaced in its entirety. This includes terminals, seals, and connector body.

5. Terminals must be fully seated in connector body (Figure 2).

6. Check female terminal for deformation.

7. Check the retention force of terminals in question as follows:

^ Join and separate NEW equivalent male and female terminals and note the force required.

^ Join and separate the NEW male terminal with the questionable female terminal in the connector body.

^ Compare the force required between the NEW connection and OLD connection.

8. Repair or replace any female terminal that has significantly less retention force than normal.





9. Check for good terminal-to-wire connections (Figure 1).

10. Check for missing insulation on wires.