Lucas 14CUX ECU. Anyone check pins for corrosion. Spares?

[retroptvr]

Gents,

On persuing recent/past shunting and rough idle/cut out problems with my Chimaera 500 and many fruitless stepper motor cleans and finally a changeout, I decided to try and get to the root cause.

I purchased a Steve Heath Ecumate, which impressively displays a communication error message when plugged in. On checking connections, I noticed that the ECU was becoming increasingly harder to plug together and difficult to engage the ECU 40 pin plug connector with the ECU body.

On looking closer, it is evident that the female sockets on the plug have started to suffer corrosion (possibly not being helped by the ECU's position in a damp footwell). These have been cleaned but obviously they are in the process of disintergration and have a make/break type dodgy connections on some pins. Noticeably the car runs OK when the heater is run full blast and directed down into the footwell, I assume when hot all the connections expand and make.

My question is: have other owners checked their connections and found the same, secondly, if I take the plug apart with its 40 or so wires in place to replace the female sockets, where can I get the correct spares from.

Sure you guys can help.

Edited by retroptvr on Tuesday 30th October 21:57

[blitzracing]

This is the nearest I ever managed to find, so Im sure they can do the connectors for you. Note the 14CUX uses a 40 pin connector of this type.

http://www.polevolt.co.uk/acatalog/info_ECU35.html

[DVR V8]

Hi.if you have any corrosion inside the main ecu plug you won't have to change anything.I repair elec faults on cars for a living.It can easily be rectified by spraying Electrolube EML onto the terminals in the 40pin plug.Fit the plug to the ecu 4 or 5 times.This will remove the corrosion.Next remove the plug and by using a tiny bladed driver tweek the terminals inwards to make the terminals tighter in the ecu.Last job spray a little more Electrolube on the terminals and fit the plug to the ecu.Replacing any terminals will result in future problems as you will be getting rid of machined crimped terminals which are superior to hand crimped terminals.Hope this helps.

[retroptvr]

Thanking you for your replies here, always great to know that someone somewhere has the answers and will share, much appreciated by me.

I shall try the clean and adjust approach first, then if all else fails replace.

Really appreciate both your valued time spent in giving quality replies.

Regards, Retrop

[ads]

I don't have any issues with mine, but being firmly in the prevention is better than cure camp.
Would it be wise to spray some of this lube stuff on the plug to prevent corrosion in the first place?

What do you guys think?

[Oldred_V8S]

Just googled this and found robbing gits on Fleabay that wanted £18:00. A bit more Googling came up with this.

http://cpc.farnell.com/1/1/31082-electrolube-conta...

[DVR V8]

I have used it for years with excellent results. Try Buck & Hickman Part No EEML200F £5.72 + vat.Regards.

[retroptvr]

Oldred_V8S said:

Just googled this and found robbing gits on Fleabay that wanted £18:00. A bit more Googling came up with this.

http://cpc.farnell.com/1/1/31082-electrolube-conta...

You did well with the find, looked initially impressive. but did you see what they add on:

Goods Subtotal: £8.04 8.04
Timed Delivery Charge: £0.00
Handling Charge: £5.95
VAT: £2.80
Order Total: £16.79 16.79

Got mine at Amazon £15.00 all in: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9790804547/ref=pe_21719...

[retroptvr]

DVR V8 said:

I have used it for years with excellent results. Try Buck & Hickman Part No EEML200F £5.72 + vat.Regards.

I saw this too and it came in at

Subtotal £5.72
Delivery £4.95
VAT £2.13
Total £12.80

Would have gone here but they are out of stock at present so Amazon is was with free delv.

[Simon says]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/contact-cleaner-4153?c=map... Just my cents worth but cure the water leaks that are causing the damp in the 1st place this kind of thing will cause breakdowns & running niggles longer than your arm all things being equal those pins and connectors should show no visible corrosion in 20 years of use

[Oldred_V8S]

retroptvr said:

Oldred_V8S said:

Just googled this and found robbing gits on Fleabay that wanted £18:00. A bit more Googling came up with this.

http://cpc.farnell.com/1/1/31082-electrolube-conta...

You did well with the find, looked initially impressive. but did you see what they add on:

Goods Subtotal: £8.04 8.04
Timed Delivery Charge: £0.00
Handling Charge: £5.95
VAT: £2.80
Order Total: £16.79 16.79

Got mine at Amazon £15.00 all in: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9790804547/ref=pe_21719...

[DVR V8]

Hmmm,see what you mean.I get mine free.Part of the job.