Power door lock wiring

[Rodney R.]

I already replaced the power door lock wiring pigtails last year and they already fell apart. Before I purchase the complete harness for the locks and window combined. I wanted input from members who have purchased quality electrical wiring components. I checked some of the different vendors and the price range is from $90.00 to $150.00. Paying more doesn't always mean better product. I would greatly appreciate some input who has found excellent quality electrical products. I 'm sure their have been other members who have been thru the same thing.

[Kurt G.]

Re: Power door lock wiring

What year and model? Would be nice to know.

[Rodney R.]

Re: Power door lock wiring

It is a 1980. I didn't include the date so Members with earlier years would reply.

[William C.]

Re: Power door lock wiring

When you say "fell apart, could you be a little more specific? I worked at Packard Electric for about 15 years and frankly don't understand what you are trying to describe...Pictures in this digital era would be helpful

[Rodney R.]

Re: Power door lock wiring

The plug part of the pigtail that presses on the back of the power door lock switch. Where the wire connects to the terminal in the plug the strands are breaking off. I can't include a picture right now and need to order a new harness in am. I was hoping other members would recommend who they used for the electrical harnesses and connectors. If they found the quality was good or poor. If they original pigtail wasn't melted I would of used it. The quality was much better then the replacement. I would think suppliers selling electrical for Corvette restoration should sell a product better than original. There must be a supplier that has a better product than their competitors.

[William C.]

Re: Power door lock wiring

OK, Strands breaking off is affected by the wire crimping process and how much twisting/bending of the subsequent assembly during assembly. The door wiring is different from most of the cable-terminal applications as the standard configuration uses a double crimp, one for the insulation and one for the strands so the first crimp acts like a strain relief however in the Lock switch applications space did not generally allow for this strain relief which means installation of the wiring must be carefully done to reduce/eliminate any twisting or pulling on the connectors and the wire connections. unless the connectors themselves are damaged (the plastic parts) the terminals can be replaced, and with due care in installation, the wiring harness reused.

[Edward J.]

Re: Power door lock wiring

Rodney, Over the years being in the automotive repair business I done hundreds of wire harness repairs and have not encountered to many early harness failures, I am not sure if AC Delco still makes a repair pigtail for the door lock harness but check with your local GM dealer and ask, you may have to ask if AC Delco makes this as GM does not. I know they have a vast selection of repair harnesses. At any rate I think that I would still be willing to buy another repair harness for some other vender. These cars can break the bank when restoring as I am sure you know, and if you still want a little extra protection use some electrical tape and tape the repair all the way up to the plastic connector and maybe lope it around the plastic once.