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Auto techs: terminal crimp tools?

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czgunner

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I do a lot of automotive wiring repair work at my shop.
I was wondering what you guys use for replacement terminals?
I'm trying to get my shop to bring in some terminals so we can replace them instead of trying to repair a terminal etc. and I'm having a hard time finding suppliers. Last week I had to repair a Nissan Murano TPS gangplug that had a wire break off at the 12V terminal.
Is there a kit for GM, Toyota, Nissan etc? Or do you buy them individually?
Also, looking for better crimp tools.
I see there are specific crimp tools for weatherpack and others.
Does every OEM have there own terminals and crimp styles?
I found this crimp set 3330 TRK.
It looks great, but I'm sure is VERY expensive.
 
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nanofrog

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Regarding terminals, if you mean a **** splice (join two wire ends together), then un-insulated terminals and adhesive lined heat shrink (seals out water and also provides strain relief).

There's no 'One Size Fits All" crimper, as different terminals require different die profiles. Some crimp tools (ratcheting type), will allow the user to swap out dies for different terminal types. I find these rather cost effective, as it's cheaper than buying a dedicated model for every single type of terminal being used.

This is what I have. Cheapest place to get it and the dies they carry, is Waytekwire.com. It's also rebranded as Wiha (BTW, Pressmaster is a major ODM that produces crimp tools for terminal manufacturers such as 3M, Molex, Thomas& Betts, Tyco, and Emerson; made in Sweden FWIW).

Links are directly to the right products, not just main pages.
 
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czgunner

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nanofrog said:
Regarding terminals, if you mean a **** splice (join two wire ends together), then un-insulated terminals and adhesive lined heat shrink (seals out water and also provides strain relief).
Click to expand...

No, I'm looking to replace the terminal inside the gang plug of sensor connectors etc.
 
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Ign

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I'm also a bit confused if you're asking just about crimping tools or also terminals, and if so generic terminals (such as **** splice mentioned above) or OEM style terminals? If the latter I simply recall guys talking about mouser.com for GM style plugs (they may have others, I was referencing tapping into the supplied aux stuff, lower left footwell under dash for GM upfitter stuff '03+)

That's all I have to contribute; if this was not your question (or part of your question), disregard.
 
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czgunner

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Okay, I'm asking about crimp tools and terminals, specifically OEM.
I'm looking to replace the terminals inside of plugs. Like when you de-pin a connector, and remove the terminals from the connector. My example was the Murano. I needed a new terminal because the wire broke at the crimp inside of the connector. Make sense?
Almost every "pigtail" repair is done with junkyard wiring because the dealer makes you buy the entire engine harness. Exceptions being some of the domestic stuff.
 
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gagreen

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czgunner said:
Okay, I'm asking about crimp tools and terminals, specifically OEM.
I'm looking to replace the terminals inside of plugs. Like when you de-pin a connector, and remove the terminals from the connector. My example was the Murano. I needed a new terminal because the wire broke at the crimp inside of the connector. Make sense?
Almost every "pigtail" repair is done with junkyard wiring because the dealer makes you buy the entire engine harness. Exceptions being some of the domestic stuff.
Click to expand...

There are specific crimpers for every type of terminal. You must find out what type of connector your using to determine the proper terminal, then find the proper crimp tool. I have over $1000 in crimpers in my tool box and I'm no where near fully equipped, although I'm in aviation and they like to bend us over.

Show us a picture of the terminal/connector so we can get where your coming from.

Short answer is to your question I think is yes, there is a proper tool to disassemble the connector (or a replacement some connectors are not serviceable), there is a correct tool to crimp a terminal end (and they are generally pricey).
 
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Nanashi

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384
czgunner said:
Okay, I'm asking about crimp tools and terminals, specifically OEM.
I'm looking to replace the terminals inside of plugs. Like when you de-pin a connector, and remove the terminals from the connector. My example was the Murano. I needed a new terminal because the wire broke at the crimp inside of the connector. Make sense?
Almost every "pigtail" repair is done with junkyard wiring because the dealer makes you buy the entire engine harness. Exceptions being some of the domestic stuff.
Click to expand...

snap on makes a set of pics specifically for digging the broken wire out of the pig tail. Then you just need to find a wire with a square end on it already to shuv down in the pig tail. I know what you are talking about But I just rarely ver use this method so when I do I grab my boss's setup to get it done. This type of fix is a last resort for me because its a PITA in my opinion. One thing you might want to do is start keeping old pig tails so you can pull the wires out of them and re-use them in these situations. I think the kit snap on makes is called ignition picks or something. Sorry I am almost no help here.
 
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czgunner

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Thanks, I don't have any problem depinning the connectors.
I wish there was some reference for which type of terminals the OEM's use. I know there are probably dozens...
 
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Fastbird

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Fort Wayne, IN
nanofrog said:
This is what I have. Cheapest place to get it and the dies they carry, is Waytekwire.com. It's also rebranded as Wiha (BTW, Pressmaster is a major ODM that produces crimp tools for terminal manufacturers such as 3M, Molex, Thomas& Betts, Tyco, and Emerson; made in Sweden FWIW).
Click to expand...

This is the same one I have with Waytek's branding on it. It does about 90% of everything I've needed it to. Sometimes I run into something too large or too small for it, but I've got stuff for those too. But the one above is my go to piece whenever I need to make a connection.
 
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ttpete

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Dearborn, MI
czgunner said:
Okay, I'm asking about crimp tools and terminals, specifically OEM.
I'm looking to replace the terminals inside of plugs. Like when you de-pin a connector, and remove the terminals from the connector. My example was the Murano. I needed a new terminal because the wire broke at the crimp inside of the connector. Make sense?
Almost every "pigtail" repair is done with junkyard wiring because the dealer makes you buy the entire engine harness. Exceptions being some of the domestic stuff.
Click to expand...

You have to figure out what make and series of connector is being used. For example, I own a current Ducati that uses a series of AMP connectors that are available commercially. I went to the AMP site and downloaded the spec sheet and catalog for reference, then googled what I needed and found a supplier.

For domestic cars, a good dealership parts guy can order new pins, seals and hard shells, but you will have to find someone who cares enough to do it.

The most common type of terminal used in automotive wiring is the "open barrel" in different sizes. This has an open trough the wire is laid in and the 2 sides are rolled in over and around the wire.

You might go to google and find a crimper kit that has a number of different replaceable die sets. This would be the least expensive way to go, and you'd be able to do most of the terminals you'd come across. My local electronics store has a whole rack of different die sets for these.

Here's one of them: http://www.toolaid.com/content/quick-change-ratcheting-terminal-crimping-kit-9-die-sets
 
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ACR

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nanofrog said:
There's no 'One Size Fits All" crimper, as different terminals require different die profiles. Some crimp tools (ratcheting type), will allow the user to swap out dies for different terminal types. I find these rather cost effective, as it's cheaper than buying a dedicated model for every single type of terminal being used.

This is what I have. Cheapest place to get it and the dies they carry, is Waytekwire.com. It's also rebranded as Wiha (BTW, Pressmaster is a major ODM that produces crimp tools for terminal manufacturers such as 3M, Molex, Thomas& Betts, Tyco, and Emerson; made in Sweden FWIW).
Click to expand...

Got the same one with dies for weatherpack and double crimp connections. Excellent crimper :beer:
 
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jfcasey

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We have an SST provided by Toyota at the dealer I work for that has crimpers included in the kit. I will take a look tomorrow to see if I can tell you the brand. We use it for exactly what you're talking about, repairing connector pins. I do have to provide a disclaimer though, most of the time if possible we use pre-crimped wire pieces that get soldered onto the existing damaged wire.
 
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czgunner

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czgunner

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WY
jfcasey said:
We have an SST provided by Toyota at the dealer I work for that has crimpers included in the kit. I will take a look tomorrow to see if I can tell you the brand. We use it for exactly what you're talking about, repairing connector pins. I do have to provide a disclaimer though, most of the time if possible we use pre-crimped wire pieces that get soldered onto the existing damaged wire.
Click to expand...

I agree, but I work at an indie shop and the parts we can get are often limited.
Like recommended, I have saved every pigtail and terminal every chance I get.
 
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vssjim

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bwringer

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Not sure if this will help, but this guy is a good resource for Japanese connectors, crimpers, etc -- he's well-known in the motorcycle world.
http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Connectors/connectors.html

Probably not all that useful for auto repair work, since there's a $20 minimum order and it takes about a week to get your goodies. The site is run by a Canadian (hence the "Beaver" part) living in Japan ("Eastern").

As mentioned above, the dealers for all brands can indeed get the terminal parts and shells, and often stock them, but it's also very tough to get the parts monkeys to look them up.

Parts monkeys are dull, obstinate creatures who love nothing more than slumbering peacefully atop mounds of catalogs. You may need a cattle prod, donuts, or beer to get their attention.
 
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bareass172

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N'awlins
A US compliment to that Eastern Beaver guy is these guys:
http://www.cycleterminal.com/

I deal with them for MC stuff, they're good people. They have some crimpers too, so even if you don't need the terminals/plugs they have, you may be able to find some tools there.

As far as you doing this professionally, this is the best advice I saw here:
gagreen said:
There are specific crimpers for every type of terminal. You must find out what type of connector your using to determine the proper terminal, then find the proper crimp tool. I have over $1000 in crimpers in my tool box and I'm no where near fully equipped, although I'm in aviation and they like to bend us over.

Show us a picture of the terminal/connector so we can get where your coming from.

Short answer is to your question I think is yes, there is a proper tool to disassemble the connector (or a replacement some connectors are not serviceable), there is a correct tool to crimp a terminal end (and they are generally pricey).
Click to expand...
If you really want to have all the pins and connectors you need then you're in for quite an investment. A tool with changeable dies will likely save you some bucks. When it comes to buying the plugs and pins most aftermarket places that sell these will also sell a "kit" that has an assortment of everything in that "line" of connector.

I work like you and it's very important to me to source all the original stuff so my work looks clean and professional when I'm done. I pride myself on having the finished work look original as if I never did anything.

There are very common ones like Metri-Pack which exist on all sorts of vehicles, and there are more specific ones which are harder to find. I agree that a good parts guy for a dealer should be able to get you pointed in the right direction. Just identify the plug type and finding a source should be easy after that.

When doing new work and adding new plugs I'll either use the Metri-Pack style or look at JST connectors or DigiKey.

http://www.jst.com/index.html
http://www.digikey.com/
 
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