Signal return multi-splice?

[Final777]

I have an 86 ranger 2.3 and my wires were rapped in my steering column. After further examination I found two signal wires that pulled out of a rubber piece that all the other signal return wires meet in some sort of splice. Can someone please explain to me what exactly that is and if I can somehow put it back together, or replace it. I'm not sure if this is a fusible link, because there is no writing on it. They are other places that have this same thing, but I'm not sure how to fix it or what I should do please help!!!!

 

[RobbieD]

a rubber piece that all the other signal return wires meet in some sort of splice

It's hard to understand what you're describing.

If you can post a picture of what you're looking at. it would be much easier for us to give opinions and advice.

 

[Final777]

Here are some pics it's a black oval rubber piece and every component that is in the truck has a signal wire that runs from the component and is joined together with this connection

 

[RobbieD]

Thank you; much better.

My "best guess" is that is the splice where all of the instrument panel's grounding wires are all tied together. In the '86 EVTM that is "S200"; see the diagram and the component location descriptions, below. You can verify it by unwrapping the harness and tracing one of the wires from S200 to its actual grounding point, at G200.

Some of your pics look like the wires are Black with White a stripe. The EVTM calls for Black. Ford changes stuff, and even factory manuals can have typos. You may want to verify that the splice point in question is grounded at G200, in order to confirm that it is in fact S200. But I didn't see any other large splices in a quick look through the book.

 

[superj]

i was going to comment that usually all the grounds will combine in something like you are describing. i have seen that on many makes and models of cars and trucks.

 

[Final777]

Okay I've pulled a wire out it so I need to replace the entire splice? Or can I just splice the misplaced wire into any other wire that is fed in to that connection? The only thing that worries me about it being a ground is that it's the wire that sends the signal back to the ecm for the actuators so that's a neutral wire right? I'm not sure how it works in DC volts but the other reason is because there are a few more of these same identical rubber fittings that run from only one wire. is there some way to just reconnect that wire? (I will send pics of these other wires)

 

[pjtoledo]

if even just 1 wire pulls out of the multi-wire splice there is a good chance corrosion is in there.
in the past I've cut the black blob open and reconnected all the wires then sealed with a glob of sealant.

any trace of a green powder/substance is corrosion on copper wires.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would just splice the loose wire into any of those wires contained in the splice pack. As long as the integrity of the other wires there are in good shape and solid.

 

[RobbieD]

Yes, you can just splice your loose stray wire(s) back into any of the Black wires on the OEM splice.

But, if wires pulled out of that 38 year old original splice point, I too would have big concerns that the splice may be rotten, bad or just shaky inside that nice molded cover.

If you cut out the original splice, to redo the connection of all of these ground wires back together, some of the several wires almost certainly will be too short to work with and to make a proper connection.

If this were my truck, I'd fix it by jumpering around, and just leaving, the original splice in place, like this:

Use a thickish wire for the jumper- 14 or even 12 ga. Any loose ground wires that were found dangling in the area, simply add them to either of your jumper splicing points.

Soldering such a jumper is HIGHLY recommended.

You're just replicating what is there already, and this the easiest, best way to do it.


technical drawing by robbieCAD -6.8; powered by old, tired gerbils

 

[Final777]

Okay that's exactly what I will do then ty so much for everyone's help this truck has been one crazy adventure for me but I want to learn everything I can about her ty so much

 

[Final777]

I'm not very good at soldering though, I will definitely have to practice

 

[RobbieD]

I'm not very good at soldering though, I will definitely have to practice

Fine (thin diameter) solder works better, and use flux core solder.

The key thing, is to get the copper hot enough to melt and absorb the solder- feed the solder into the copper strands, right next to the soldering iron tip,, instead of melting it on the iron tip.

With just a little practice it's easy to get the hang of doing this quickly.