Sensor wire fix

[Mr Whippy]

At some point before my ownership, someone has butchered my MAF sensor loom.




I think the wire is about 22awg range.

A good crimp seems the best bet.

Crimpers are totally new to me. There seem to be a whole boat load of variations.

Will these work?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/451-2-U-shaped-terminal...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B077RVK5JK

Wrapping all other cuts/insulation splits with 3:1 glue filled shrink wrap.


My main reservation with crimpers is they often have an asymmetric crimp for the core and insulation at the back, and just core at the end.

I’m weary of getting crimpers that won’t work with the crimps I’m choosing.



I’ve already considered solders, and uninsulated cylinder butt crimps etc, but it seems the type of crimp the terminal pins use at the ends is also best for mid-way joints... especially where free wire for soldering is at a premium.


Cheers for any advice!

Dave

[Mr Whippy]

It’s just a short exposed run and not much room. Plus those other splits at each side of the join.

I could solder and have the gear.

My main issue is ~ 5mm of lost wire already, and needing another 5-10mm to tidy each end and then 10mm for overlap for a solder.
That runs into those other splits... it’ll need two solders and a new run... with one solder very near the plug... worried a bit on heat.


How do I find suitable replacement wire?

Cut off a bit and measure/count cores etc?


My initial thought was a new ‘end’ from a good loom and just re-solder each wire with plenty of space to go at and equal length wires.

Edited by Mr Whippy on Thursday 17th January 12:29

[Mr Whippy]

I’d done a quick fix with twisted cable ends and tape:

To a better fix:





But I think it needs taking back to good wire on the three tampered wires...
All wires have one strand cut, and the one with several breaks has multiple strands cut.
It really is a mess.


However it’s so tight at each end (one end going under manifold, other almost onto pins in plug) I’d need 6 joins total, and soldering in some tight spots.


I think I’m best finding a good loom end from a breaker and just cutting staggered across the required 3 wires to have just three joins in a nice to access area.


I think crimps are easier. Why do people prefer solder?
Maybe a pro solderer could do a good job but I think I’ll do a better crimp with good equipment (like the end plug crimps) than I will solder, especially leaning over into a tight spot in an engine bay.

[Mr Whippy]

As per my original post, I assume I can just use that style crimper and crimps for joins, onto appropriate wire, with the correct end pins crimped on.

All easy to do.

Just knowing what to ask for haha... I’ve no idea how to get the right bits.

Most resellers appear to be clueless too, just reselling stuff from China.

Oh for a decent shop you could just go to with bits in hand eh!

[Mr Whippy]

GreenV8S said:

Those crimp joints look tiny - are they big enough for those wires? They might be OK but there isn't much to them. Have a look at Seloky (?) brand for alternatives. I prefer uninsulated terminals with separate sealed heatshrink as you're describing, but there also also commonly available crimp butt splice connectors with the heatshrink sleeve included. That type need a different type of crimper. The better quality crimpers will have removable jaws so you can do several types with the one tool.

This is it, finding good quality compatible bits, but without spending £££ on crimpers.

I’ve seen CK do a set for £80 ish with 5 jaw sets but if they’re the jaws I need is another thing.
There seems to be a blend of AWG, mm, and mm2 for wire size, then crimps come in another scaling altogether again.

For example I’ve been looking just for some ratchet crimpers to do cylinder uninsulated butt joins without luck. Even the 5 jaw combo ones are missing these basic crimpers.


I might have to make a special visit to a decent sized Maplin if they still exist and sell such stuff!