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Dodge Intrepid 1997 CMP sensor connector
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bravais
New User
Mar 21, 2006, 7:04 AM
Post #1 of 5
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Dodge Intrepid 1997 CMP sensor connector
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My car's a 1997 Dodge Intrepid 3.5 L, I just noticed that my camshaft position sensor connector locking tang is broken. I want to replace the connector but don't know how, is there a standard wiring practices manual available for automotive applications which gives exploded views of different types of connectors and how to remove and install them, just out of interest and for knowledge. I have a subscription of Alldatadiy for my car.
Secondly, while just looking under the hood I noticed I have a connector stashed away on the left hand forward side of the engine compartment (aft looking forward) on the side of the radiator, from alldata i have seen that this might be for the ambient temperature sensor and my car is not equipped with a climate control system, so this might be a redundant harness but how do i go about finding out the component to which this connector might connect, can't see any sensors without a plug in the vicinity.
Do cars have a thing like FIN (functional identification number) scheme of aircrafts (i fix planes for a living and tinker with cars in my free time to annoy my wife!!). In planes, like those from Boeing or Airbus, harnesses and components have reference bands and stickers next to the components and on the wire harnesses which can be cross referred in the schematics and wiring diagrams to locate which component or wire is it. From reading the schematics of my car at alldatadiy i see that automotive schematics have similar identifiers but are these stuck on the wires as well for coss reference?
Any hints Dan D? Just joined the forum, my thanks to all the chaps and not to forget the chappettes who keep this amazing resource of knowledge alive.
Cheerio
The REAL danger is not that machines will start thinking like humans but that we will start thinking like machines.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 21, 2006, 12:13 PM
Post #2 of 5
(3716 views)
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Re: Dodge Intrepid 1997 CMP sensor connector
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You may be more secure with the broken "tang" to just use a plastic wire tie if possible.
You may not have climate control but cars in general don't use one inch of extra wire or waste a connector to go no where any more. If really concerning you - you may be able to get just the connector but you should painstakingly solder all wires with shink wrap or you'll be back there often. T
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 22, 2006, 6:40 AM
Post #3 of 5
(3716 views)
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Re: Dodge Intrepid 1997 CMP sensor connector
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As for the cam sensor connector I would do as what Tom has said and tie wrap it so it won’t fall off. Also like Tom has said if you want to replace it make sure it's properly soldered as in not overheating the wires that will make the wire brittle and could break on either side of your splice.
Then insulate from each other as well as Mother Nature, to keep her away from your splices; she seem to like growing that green stuff. LOL
Shrink tube with dielectric grease imbedded in the tube is about the best that I have found.
I also haven’t found an after market source for Chrysler repair pigtails (not around here anywise) so I only have the dealer or the wrecking yards to hopefully find one. I can’t remember now what terminal I needed but the only way the manufacturer would sell it; was in a complete under hood harness at quite a cost.
The empty connector is likely just that; not to disagree with Tom but it’s likely more cost effective for the manufacturer to only have one or two wiring harness regardless of the options on that certain line of car. For example they may have a harness that will cover their base model up to a mid line and a second harness to go from that to the top model; only connecting what is needed. Dodge Caravan is a good example there are eight different models. The base Caravan, ES, LE, SE; then the base Grand Caravan, ES, LE and SE, all having their own option packages or a combination of. I doubt there are as many harnesses.
If you think it maybe the ambient sensor; compare the wire colors to your diagram and then go to a component locator and see if the sensor would be in that area for the connector to reach.
I wish automotive diagrams had FIN references but that would be way way too easy. LOL
The reference numbers you see on automotive diagrams all depends on who designed the diagram and for what auto manufacturer it was designed.
They could be anything from what position the wire is in, in a 60-pin terminal, identifying a splice, splice pack, a bulkhead terminal to what zone a terminal is located in? Each area of a GM for example is assigned a zone under hood, bulkhead, dash, passenger compartment and so on.
I have compared a manufacturers “original” diagram to an after market like Alldata of the same circuit, same car and they barely read the same; both had everything there just laid out differently. So get use, to whose diagrams you’re using, is all I can say.
A lot of what I just said is just my opinion, so take it as you feel its worth.
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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bravais
New User
Mar 22, 2006, 8:54 AM
Post #4 of 5
(3706 views)
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Re: Dodge Intrepid 1997 CMP sensor connector
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 Thanks Dan, Checked the schematic, wire colour and the connector, it was as I thought for the ambient temperature sensor that is used to calculate the demand signal for blower speed and other cooling rate functions in the ATC system.
Also called the dealers for my vehicle here, and they confirmed that it was a redundant connector in the common harness that is used on both the base and ES models of the dodge intrepid, mine being the base model, thus the obvious absence of the ATC system!!
What I meant about replacing the connector was to change it based on the assumption that it was crimped. Now i am not too familiar about how car connectors are put together, but on airplanes we have wires that have male pins crimped on them, then the wires are inserted using a tool into a female pin that is part of the connector. and voila you have a plug that clips onto the sensor or component but unlike cars they are bayonet type plugs. So all that is required to change a connector is to insert an unlocking tool from the back of the connector, this tool spreads the female pin's locking tabs just a wee bit and the wire with the male pin crimped on it is pulled out. Now we get a new connector and just insert the wires with the male pins into the new connector's female pins and you are done. No soldering required as it doesn't hold up well and cracks due to rapid cooling and heating cycles that the airplane is exposed to and vibration adds to the woes. so minimal soldering there, so i thought cars were the same. but the heat shrink sleeve with a dash of silicone base grease is still a good bet for securing the back of the connector.
Thanks a lot for your help and prompt reply, can you suggest a book to bring my knowledge about current automotive practices and troubleshooting up to date. I have seen a book by an author called Erjavec on Amazon that sounds quite comprehensive.
Cheerio
The REAL danger is not that machines will start thinking like humans but that we will start thinking like machines.
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 22, 2006, 12:22 PM
Post #5 of 5
(3701 views)
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Re: Dodge Intrepid 1997 CMP sensor connector
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If what I’m picturing from your explanation of the crimp on terminals is correct; then yes we use them as well. I have to release tools to disassemble the connectors and the crimping tool to attach the terminals to the wire. Like you said nice and easy repair but that’s if you can find the proper terminals. I don’t think there are too many common terminals between the different manufactures; they all seem to put their own little spin on the design. I purchased a universal kit a while ago and after attempting to repair a couple of connectors I found out how not so universal the kit was. Lots of GM stuff in the kit but was sucking a hind tit for the other manufactures. The connector housings were the same thing; so many different styles that I would go broke here if I were to attempt stocking all of them.
As far as what books are available I’m not sure what to suggest because when it come to doing wiring repairs or any repair for that matter every manufacturer has there own idea of what the proper repair is.
That’s what makes the automotive trade so challenging nobody agrees on anything unless it’s been mandated to them by the government.
OBD II for example has forced them to standardize some items such as the ALDL (assembly line data link) that’s so a generic scan-tool can be used for retrieving codes and serial data.
If by chance you’re in the States; you can now go to the individual manufactures sites and rent Internet time with their repair manuals. Sorry I don’t know the rate or the Web addresses but I do know it’s available. We here in Canada are still fighting this battle with the manufacturers and our government to allow us this right.
Here’s a link that can explain the “right to repair” act better then I could.
http://www.aiacanada.com/...ment.cfm?itemid=8800
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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