Wire connectors for dome light broke. How to fix?

[BrooksK]

I am redoing the headliner in my '96. As I started to unscrew the screws for the dome light, it sounded like sand grinding as the screw turned. When I lowered the dome light, the black plastic for this wire connector just crumbled apart. If you look close, you can see that the other one is cracked. I looked around online and found a replacement connector is offered by Ford, but the cost is around 30$. That seems a bit steep for a wire connector, so I am wondering if anyone's got any other tricks to making this work. I searched the forums, but nothing really matches what I am looking for. A ton of LED conversion threads though. Thanks!

 

[Curious Hound]

Can you show a picture of where and how that connects to the light? I haven't looked at one in quite a while. If it is held to the light by a screw, what is the plastic part really doing? If it will connect to the light without shorting to anything else, I wouldn't worry about it. If you need insulation over excess exposed parts of that, a bit If heat shrink or electrical tape should be fine.

 

[BrooksK]

Can you show a picture of where and how that connects to the light? I haven't looked at one in quite a while. If it is held to the light by a screw, what is the plastic part really doing? If it will connect to the light without shorting to anything else, I wouldn't worry about it. If you need insulation over excess exposed parts of that, a bit If heat shrink or electrical tape should be fine.

I'm not entirely sure myself. It's been about 15yrs since I have taken it out too. I think the green wire may be the positive. It connects to the actual dome light with a screw that passes through the light and protrudes into the square hole. The screw makes contact with the wires and the circuit is inside the light. Anyone correct me if I am wrong.

 

[BrooksK]

I found someone parting out a Ranger. I got the harness from them and spliced it into mine.

 

[Curious Hound]

Good job.

 

[safa]

I found someone parting out a Ranger. I got the harness from them and spliced it into mine.

Did you ever figure out if getting a replacement was necessary? I’ve got a similar issue where the black plastic part is all crumbled and can’t really find a cheap replacement so I’m wondering if I can omit that step and would be able to screw it in without issue.