Well, I got my console apart to start putting in the auto meter guages. I'd bought a 9 pin molex connector to handle them, but I'm looking at the console harness... I've got the 12v for the voltmeter (backup light feed) and the courtesy lights (original PG shift quadrant light) and 5 open locations on the connector. I need 3 for fuel, oil, and temp.

If only I new where to get the oe type pins (male & female) that go into this connector!!

It would be so slick to do this up in the original wiring harness.

Jim are these the pins you are talking about? They are called Packard 56 or something like that. Ive got a bag of each if you need a few let me know.
If its the tiny round connector pins, Ive never found those yet either. I know the connector up above the emergency brake pedal, that is the rear harness, has the exact same type of connector and pins and is found in many GM cars of that vintage and beyond Im told. Id love to know where to find those round tiny metal pins too.
graemlins/thumbsup.gif

http://www.brainerd.net/~knudsen/69RS/Interior/PackardElecPins1.JPG

darn... close but no cigar...

I haven't figured out how to get them out without hurting them, but the pins that go into this connector are the ones I'm looking for:
http://home.comcast.net/~jimragtop/pin.jpg
Sure would like to find new ones, crimp and solder em right...

Yep those are the ones I cant find either, other than scalping them from another connector, like above the E.brake on a car in the bone yard. bummer unless someone else can put us onto new ones?

Darn it again..lol

Someone has offered me a used connector, any idea how to get the pins out withiut killing them?

Sure would rather find new ones, do it right with no splices. Think I'll call the the tech line at some of the wiring suppliers, make nice and see what I can find out.

I pulled one of them out last year but cant recall which way they come out, guessing you pull that male part out toward you, that way when you press the other connector piece into it, they compress and fit tight rather than pushing out the back of the connector. Guessing just a tight compression fit is all it is.

This is getting frustrating...
Best so far, I talked to a tech guy at M&H, he told me it was called a "Twin-Lock" Connector, & GM still had the pins. Went to Chevy, they found a picture if the exact part, but NO PART NUMBER! Called M&H back, they gave me part#2973916 and said THAT IS THE NUMBER THEY USE TO ORDER THEM FROM GM. Called dealer back, they told me the # was discontinued in 1992!! AAARRRGGGGHHH!!!

Jim
Are you still looking for a way to remove these pins from a donor wiring harness?? Would that help or do you simply want new pins?

At this point, I'm saying nasty words to myself, and looking for everything and anything. Yes, for sure clue me in to how to get the pins out.

What I'd really like to do is use a new molex connector for the guage panel, and splice that into the existing console harness, and run new wires in the dash harness for the new guages.

I'm not real comfortable with used pins, becuase I'd only be able to solder em, not crimp the solder, it's a vastly inferior connection.

Another option would be to put a second (the molex) connector in the dash harness, but that would leave me with 2 fat cables going into the console.

I'm gonna give finding these pins another couple days, then decide. Judging from the # of guys here who have looked for them, it'll be a good thing for all if I can find em.

Jim
Here's how you get the pins out without damaging them.

-Slide a small - and i mean small (like a jewlers screwdriver) into the towards the top of the wire in the back of the connector. The screw driver should be pushed in above the wire on top of the non-split part of the pin (that make sense at all??).

Each pin has a spring steel prong on it that holds in in the harness. What you want to do is push down the prong on the pin by pusing your small screwdriver inward. This will release the steel prong. You can then push the pin right through the harness, it's easier than pulling it out of the harness.

The first one is the hardest to figure out. Once you have one out you'll see exactly how they are held in.

The problem is, even if you do come across some used ones (and you can get a used harness on E Bay anytime) they are secured to the wire VERY well and you'd have another jon trying to remove them from the wire so that they can be attached to another wire - although you could always splice another in...

Hope all this made sense...

Perfectly Dan, I just needa find or make a smaller tool.

Gonna burn up the phone lines tomorrow some more, try to find a good part # now that the frustration has eased. They reproduce these harnesses, therefore someone is selling them the connectors!

Worked an hour tonight, got all the power, grounds, and lights done on the new guage console.

I am in the process of wiring my car and just today converted the turn signal harness. I believe the pins are the same. Dan is correct there is a tang on the bottom, if the wire is on top, of the pin that prevents you from pushing the pin through the connector. There are tangs on the sides that prevent the pin from pulling out of the connector. You might try Factory Fit as a possible supply source. I've talked to their tech reps and they are good to work with. Mark Hamilton at M.A.D electrical may have or know where to get the pins.

The release tool is made by ‘Lisle’ and has two (2) small flat spades that slide down each side of the terminal to release it. Picture of tool - http://store.yahoo.com/joeztools/terminaltool.html
Lisle tools are available from most good auto parts stores.
Many parts stores also carry the Dorman/Motormite brand of replacement parts. They offer the correct style replacement pins for these GM/Molex connectors. Don't remember the part number of my head - but look through the connectors or in the application book for them.

The toughest part is the proper 'crimping' tool for "double Crimp" terminals. Mine cost @$100.oo with the correct set of anvils for the wire sizes I needed.

Hope this helps;

John

John, thanks for the info, found and will buy the removal tool.

I spent an hour looking though the Dornans/motormite online catalog, came up empty. Any chnace of finding the part #?

I'll do my best to find the number in the next couple days.
I'm in the middle of the commissioning of a Bulk Hydrofloric Acid delivery project this week - so that's keeping me busy, tring not to get killed... (luckily the weather has been dry and cool lately - making wearing "plastic clothes" all day not to bad :rolleyes: ) should have some time to look through the stuff at the shop on Thurs. or Fri.
The pins may also be available from someplace like McMaster-Carr or DigiKey, but I haven't looked there yet.

John

Thanks, John... spent an hour in an auto parts store today looking through the dornans catalog, nada again

Okay - parts guy is out of them. He is ordering more from Dorman today for me. The part number (#5302?) didn't come up on his inventory list so he is calling the distributor directly.

I will get back to you first of next week with info.

John

Thanks John, this will be so neat to see if they do have the original style still available.
smile.gif

John, you got a part ? That's a start... excellent and thanks, I hope they come through.

Wonder what they'll say about quantity? I could use a dozen.

Thanks!
Jim

ttt-

Haven't forgot about this - just waiting for the distributor to get back to my parts guy.
Called him yesterday to 'tickle' it again...

"stay tuned";
John

checking every day, resisting the urger to pro you witha pm....thanks again John