PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

@Plain Jane Taco

Bill, I am competent at installing stereos and replacing headlights, but you know a hell of a lot more about electrical work than I do; I am thinking that I am gonna replace the blackened HVAC connector. Would it be a bad idea for my mechanic to splice a new connector onto the existing harness?

 

I've never replaced one. But I think that's how it's done. You should probably ask this question in the tech forum

 

You already know what you have, and you know what great condition its in especially since the frame swap. The "what ifs" could kill you if you end up in a vehicle that you just don't like, for whatever reason/reasons. Also, the floor is gonna drop out of the used Toyota market when they finally ramp up to full production again. When it does you could be upside down on your new 2017...in a heartbeat.

 

Doesn't it snow in Pennsylvania? Only 2wd?? Myself, I'd want a 4x4

 

I want my next vehicle to be 4WD, but I've had my current 2WD Taco since 2009 and haven't had a significant problem...

 

I’ve needed 4wd and a locker more down here living in South Carolina hunting the swamps and National forest then I’ve ever needed growing up in PA. I would say most people want 4wd down here but you do see 2wd trucks for sale.

 

My uncle refuses to get 4WD; He's special ordered numerous trucks and SUVs in the last 30 years (1993 Dodge Dakota, 1994 Ford Ranger, 1995 Jeep Cherokee, 2000 Dodge Durango, and 2002 Tacoma) and always ordered them with a positraction rear end, but also always 2WD. He lived in Pennsylvania from the early 1980s until like 2013...

 

Should I have the entire harness or just the connector replaced? I have no idea how long it's been scorched like that, I'm driving up to Syracuse for a huge car show next month, and I'm afraid that it's going to fail and leave me without A/C while I'm several hours from home so I think I am just gonna get it replaced...

 

The smoking is a big thing to me. After a few years of him smoking in it that smell is never going to get out of there. Also debt vs no debt. I’d take the no debt. Especially after it just got a new frame. I’d keep that truck until it rusts into the ground

 

And I'm fluid-filming it this fall!

 

There’s only one foolproof way to get the smell of smoke out of a vehicle. It requires fire and will render the vehicle a heap of junk.
(Disclaimer: Don’t do this)

30k for a 5 year old 2WD truck that was smoked in. No. Keep your trusty 2nd gen.

 

I’m not sure what the whole harness would cost. That connector part number in the sketch is just the housing from what I can tell, would have to buy the pins, need a crimper etc.
If it were me I would check the resistor to make sure it’s not burnt, clean up the connector contact surfaces, bend the female prongs together to pale sure it will be right against the male pin. Use an electrical contact cleaner or isopropyl alcohol. nail clipper file. etc. then see if the wire is still hot with the blower on before total replacement.

Here’s a thread that might help:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fan-control-and-blower-resistor-harness-burnt.600296/

 

You mean the resistor in the squirrel cage housing? That was checked this morning and it's fine, but my mechanic believes that the shorted resistor last year is what led to this...

 

I just remembered a story you told me years ago about a mishap with one of your heat pumps...

Somebody was doing work on your house (Roofers, maybe?), there was some sort of of accident that resulted in one of the two heat pumps being crushed by falling debris, and the company doing the work ended up buying you a new heat pump.

 

From what I can see, the connector isn’t likely compromised.
I’d just order a new single wire insert and put it in the current connector.
You can depin the single wire from the plug and slide a new one in.

Of buy a new connector and depin all the wires and replace just the 1 wire.

caribe makaira has the part# above for the female wire insert you need.

 

How does the new wire get inserted? Splicing?

 

This is what I was doing yesterday when I discovered the scorched connector; Installing a new USB extender...

 

Seen this all the time in the industry. It’s normal. As long as it’s not melted. It’s caused by poor contact and high current. See if you can bend the terminal tab a little to give it better contact when connected and add dietetic grease. That’s it. You’ll know if you have poor contact when it’s connected and the blower turns off if you wiggle the connector. You’re AC system is not affected by the blower motor electrical, but you obviously wont get any air out the vents if the blower isn’t working.

 

My truck's Carfax report just says it was manufactured and shipped to Pennsylvania in August 2009; It does not say where it was actually built, but the sticker in the left door jamb says "California"...

 

Yes, once you get the wire out of the connector you’ll cut that wire and splice on a new one.
The new wire comes with a female end that snaps into the connector.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2027862762...WWGhlcMrTfOEvxi0dEYKe2z-I1IsgGTkaArOaEALw_wcB

Or do like @Jimmyh said and depin the wire, and smash the female end just a little bit with needle nose pliers to make a better connection.