5.7 GL wiring harness connection issue

[byson2]

I have an intermittent issue that I've finally traced to the pictured connection. The engine will occasionally either not start or it will die. When I wiggle the connection, it fixes the problem-usually only temporarily. My theory is one or more of the male prongs aren't making good contact. Any recommendations on a fix without replacing the connection? Thanks!

 

[alldodge]

Any recommendations on a fix without replacing the connection?

Would have to unplug and see what needs to be done before taking a guess. Kind of like what do you think is in the box?

It may just need cleaning, but may need more

 

[Scott Danforth]

think of it as Schrodinger's connection. as long as you dont look, you dont know if the connection is good, bad, or if its just a cat.

 

[byson2]

I've pulled the connection off as well as taking the connection box/circuit breaker off to see if there are any obvious issues and there are none. I've also used a 12V test light on the opposite side of the shown wires and it flickers off/on when I wiggle the connection right where it plugs in. That's what leads me to believe the one or more of the pins in the connector aren't making contact. I did a search on iboats for similar issues and below is a comment from user "Fun Times" concerning this same situation but no remedy was given because it was a different scenario. I have some ideas as to what I can do but wanted to see if anyone else had the same problem and how they corrected it...thanks

"It's more typical to have a bad connection due to the male wire pins are not gapped enough to make good contact with the female engine harness."

 

[alldodge]

Using a test light leads me to believe this was on the engine side only (female pins), otherwise there would be no electrical connection unless piercing the installation jacket

I had one which when pulled apart the male pins came out still connected. The pins can be pushed out, but most will purchase custom cables and rewire

You can get motor or helm side, and full length or pigtail replacement

https://www.hardin-marine.com/c-146-wiring-harnesses.aspx

 

[alanjb]

had similuar issues. Clean both male and female connections with a wire brush (round)

 

[byson2]

Thanks for the responses. I did use the test light on the engine side and did pierce the insulation. I'd been having this issue for a while now and every time I got the test light out to find the short, it would fix itself....this was frustrating knowing it would come back again! It finally happened at a convenient time and place so I wanted to make certain I located the source. I'll work on cleaning the pins and see if that will help, If it doesn't, I'll splice and solder.

 

[Horigan]

First, I would buy some electronics contact cleaner (freon), spray it in both sides of the connection, connect and disconnect several times, spray again, let dry, and reconnect and see if that fixes it. If it does fix it, consider spraying CorrosionX, or similar corrosion prevention product, into the connection and reconnect to help maintain good electrical contact.

 

[garbageguy]

I had a similar situation - turns out a PO had tapped into a wire near the harness connection for power (ugh!), that was the problem. Sounds like you've been through yours enough that it's not your situation - but that was one of my related experiences