Related Tests and Procedures

Faulty electrical connections or wiring may cause most intermittents. Inspect for the following conditions:
^ Poor mating of connector halves.
^ Terminals not fully seated in the connector body (backed out).
^ Dirt or corrosion on the terminals.
Ensure that the terminals are clean and free of any foreign material that may impede proper terminal contact.
^ Damaged connector body - exposing the terminals to moisture and dirt.
^ Improper terminal orientation with the component or mating connector.
^ Improperly formed or damaged terminals Carefully inspect all connector terminals in problem circuits in order to ensure good contact tension. Use a corresponding mating terminal in order to inspect for proper tension. Refer to Checking Terminal Contact in Electrical Diagnosis for the specific procedure.
^ Use the J 35616-A Connector Test Adapter Kit whenever a diagnostic procedure requests inspecting or probing a terminal. Using the adapter will ensure that no damage to the terminal will occur, and will indicate whether contact tension is sufficient. If contact tension seems incorrect, check the terminal for contact.
^ Poor terminal to wire connection This includes the following conditions:
- Poor crimps.
- Poor solder joints.
- Crimping over wire insulation rather than the wire itself.
- Corrosion in the wire to terminal contact area.
^ Wire insulation that is rubbed through.
This causes an intermittent short as the bare area touches other wiring or parts of the vehicle.
^ Wiring broken inside the insulation This condition may cause a continuity inspection to show a good circuit. If only 1 or 2 strands of a multi-strand type wire are intact, resistance may be too high.

In order to avoid any of the above conditions when making wiring or terminal repairs, always follow the instructions for wiring and terminal repair in Wiring Repairs.