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View Full Version : Crimping connectors on a AAW Classic update kit for 69 Camaro


waynieZ
04-01-2012, 11:14 AM
Hi I got both the single and double crimper's for the kit. But there is no way I'm fitting double wires in these connectors they sent for this purpose. I know its got to be something I'm not figuring out but before I shoot hole in the car from frustration I figured I'd ask here.
Here's the connectors, some for the marker lights and some for the tail lights. I opened the one on the right a little. I've watched their video a few times.
What am I doing wrong?
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/Hardcore454/ELECTRICAL/000_1122.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/Hardcore454/ELECTRICAL/000_1124.jpg
Thanks !

Sieg
04-01-2012, 01:03 PM
Solder and shrink tube if all else fails.

What guage of wire?

They require patience and still can be frustrating.

dhutton
04-01-2012, 02:35 PM
I just finished mine. The doubles for the right connector were brass colored in my kit. The one you've shown is definitely the single.

Don

waynieZ
04-01-2012, 07:45 PM
Sieg its either 14 or 16 ga. Its for the tail and parking lights.
These are the two types that came in the bag of terminals for the rear tail light harness. Don't be fooled by the picture of the tinned one it's still not big enough for two wires to fit side by side. The ones for the side marker are even smaller.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/Hardcore454/ELECTRICAL/000_1129.jpg

Z06vette
04-01-2012, 08:30 PM
What style crimp pliers are you using? I have the ratcheting type with interchangeable jaws. Mine has 3 different sizes per jaw. I mostly used the med & large for the AAW. The single wire terminal used medium & 2 wire used the large. You really need a heavy duty large set of crimpers for the some of the heavy crimps such as the ALT eyelet. It took me a while to figure this out the first time. One the small brass connector above, I found it necessary to bend the flat tabs so they line up with the others. Also, opening them up as you did will make it near impossible to crimp correctly. If anything they need to be closed slightly. I fit the termninal in the crimpers & sqeeze just one click. This holds the terminal in the pliers so I can insert the wire & hold it with my free hand & sqeeze the crimpers with the other. I also found it necessary to slide the terminal as far out of the jaws as possible or the end would get squashed or bent. On my 69 I installed all those plugs for the taillights as shown in the directions. I'm wiring my 68 firebird now & I did not use all those plugs. I used butt connectors with heat shrink already on them. It simplified everything & made for much cleaner install. I dont see the point of unplugging the sockets when they are easily accessible & come out of the taillight housing in seconds. Sorry for the long reply. Scott

Vegas69
04-01-2012, 09:39 PM
Wayne, you need to twist the two wires together.

Sieg
04-01-2012, 10:11 PM
Wayne, you need to twist the two wires together.

This is 16 guage:

http://sieg.smugmug.com/photos/i-KvJ3nZJ/0/L/i-KvJ3nZJ-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/photos/i-78Bm33M/0/L/i-78Bm33M-L.jpg

waynieZ
04-02-2012, 06:38 AM
Scott I have both crimpers AAW recomends.
Todd I'll give twisting the wires a try again. Could you fit the insulation in the crimp like they say to do? They sent some practice crimps so atleast I had some to try first.

Sieg
04-02-2012, 07:07 AM
Scott I have both crimpers AAW recomends.
Todd I'll give twisting the wires a try again. Could you fit the insulation in the crimp like they say to do? They sent some practice crimps so atleast I had some to try first.

It was late when I did that quick mock-up, the wires slipped back in the terminal when positioning for the photos, they should be forward about 2mm.

I used a traditional pair of pliers to twist the wire ends.

For security you can crimp then solder, add shrink tube if you like.

waynieZ
04-02-2012, 04:27 PM
We got most of them done on the rear harness. Them little suckers are a pain. There are a couple we are going to solder.

GregWeld
04-02-2012, 05:41 PM
Be careful when soldering === copper really gets brittle when OVER heated... and automotive wiring is subject to lots of vibration. You won't find any OEM connections soldered.

waynieZ
04-03-2012, 07:36 PM
Thanks Greg We only soldered one and its a side marker light so I'll know what it is if it goes bad. Thanks again. Those tiny terminals are tough when your hands shake like a hula doll on a 4X4's dash board!

boostin05blacks
04-10-2012, 08:19 AM
This is 16 guage:

http://sieg.smugmug.com/photos/i-KvJ3nZJ/0/L/i-KvJ3nZJ-L.jpg

http://sieg.smugmug.com/photos/i-78Bm33M/0/L/i-78Bm33M-L.jpg

Im working on my wiring kit also and would like to know any more info on these? Id like to buy a pair.

Will this one work from those connections?
http://www.amazon.com/GM-Delphi-Weatherpack-Crimper-Tool/dp/B005K006QS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1334070909&sr=8-4

:thumbsup: