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Brittle connector tabs breaking - pretty common problem
A story: A number of connectors have lost their tabs that hold them on in my three cars. Often, I just put an automotive cable tie around them to theoretically hold them on and move forward with life with a larger and larger list of connector housings I'd like to replace.
Sometimes, like with one of the connectors under the driver-side engine fuse box (the green one), there is no obvious way, beyond friction, to keep the connector on without the tab. So, I start an extended hunt for the connector across decades of companies changing, part numbers changing.
This time, it was a UTA (or UT MAI or U.T.A. or U.T.MAI) connector listed in the electrical guide. What the heck? Is that a part number, a company, something else? Google has nothing particularly useful. Eventually, I found a relay someone was selling with UT MAI on it which had a clear United Technologies symbol on it. Eventually found that MAI was a Spanish subsidiary (Blibao). A start, but t was pretty clear that they no longer existed.
Eventually, I found that they had sold themselves to Lear 21 years ago. Then found the catalog for Lear's fusebox connectors, then, amazingly after looking at over 400 pages of connectors, found the current part numbers (321603045 for the green one, 321603052 for the whitish one, 321603060 for the black one, 321603078 for the blue one). They were on page 477 out of 518 pages. Next time I'll start at the back (and they will be on page 2).
So, to make a long story even longer, since this hunt always takes some not insubstantial amount of time, does anyone know if there is a connector crossref for the XK8?
A story: A number of connectors have lost their tabs that hold them on in my three cars. Often, I just put an automotive cable tie around them to theoretically hold them on and move forward with life with a larger and larger list of connector housings I'd like to replace.
Sometimes, like with one of the connectors under the driver-side engine fuse box (the green one), there is no obvious way, beyond friction, to keep the connector on without the tab. So, I start an extended hunt for the connector across decades of companies changing, part numbers changing.
This time, it was a UTA (or UT MAI or U.T.A. or U.T.MAI) connector listed in the electrical guide. What the heck? Is that a part number, a company, something else? Google has nothing particularly useful. Eventually, I found a relay someone was selling with UT MAI on it which had a clear United Technologies symbol on it. Eventually found that MAI was a Spanish subsidiary (Blibao). A start, but t was pretty clear that they no longer existed.
Eventually, I found that they had sold themselves to Lear 21 years ago. Then found the catalog for Lear's fusebox connectors, then, amazingly after looking at over 400 pages of connectors, found the current part numbers (321603045 for the green one, 321603052 for the whitish one, 321603060 for the black one, 321603078 for the blue one). They were on page 477 out of 518 pages. Next time I'll start at the back (and they will be on page 2).
So, to make a long story even longer, since this hunt always takes some not insubstantial amount of time, does anyone know if there is a connector crossref for the XK8?
I don't know but I hope someone does have it.
I need the connector for the fan shroud assembly. I currently have mine held by zip ties and electrical tape.
I need the connector for the fan shroud assembly. I currently have mine held by zip ties and electrical tape.
Before 2003, the connector descriptions went like "2-WAY REINSHAGEN METRI 630", 2003 and after went like "2-WAY/BLACK". One is slightly more helpful than the other...
So, it's hard to tell, but is it the two way on the fan what you are looking for, and does it look like this?
Before 2003, the connector descriptions went like "2-WAY REINSHAGEN METRI 630", 2003 and after went like "2-WAY/BLACK". One is slightly more helpful than the other...
So, it's hard to tell, but is it the two way on the fan what you are looking for, and does it look like this?
I don't think so. The male side of the metripack connector is inside the connector.
Where does this go? To one of the fans? I can't seem to find it in your electrical diagram.
On the bottom image I traced the path. Also, I do recall the connector covering the two metal tabs, but it all just broke off.
Your car has the same connection. I used to have a 2000 XK8 which had the very same fan plugs. If you check on your car, assuming its intact, you should be able to identify it.
I found this image and traced it's path with the arrows. It seems to connect to that module on the fan shroud and not to any specific fan.
Last edited by giandanielxk8; 10-21-2020 at 05:59 PM.
So on 00-02 there is a relay instead of a fan module, and I just happen to have a left side wiring harness that I completely relieved recently from an XK8 (took a while). Don't see that on the harness, and I don't seen anything similar in the cars (especially a wire coming up between the two fans).
On yours, it should look like below. Connectors GC2 and GC1 could be the Metri-pack 630 on the fans themselves, but LF35 and LF36 are on the fan module? And there appears to be nothing else close here save the fan fuse module at the square 7 which should be two 1-WAYs. So, tis confusing.
Do you know the wire colors? Seems like one of them is predominantly yellow (the four wires going away from the fan module should be Black-Green, White-Blue, White and Black, adding to the confusion). Of course, why should they have been picky about the colors...
Both shown in JTIS as '2-WAY/BLACK', which description is about as much use as a lighthouse in a desert/[insert favourite metaphor here].
Fan control module is fused at 80A which makes the linked waytech offering a little lightweight. I did look at this when GD posted originally but came to nothing conclusive.
I thought it was just me. I just finished replacing heater hoses and found a piece of plastic on the floor during the project. During reassembly I learned that it came from the connector that is just below the throttle spring on the throttle body. With no way to put Humpty Dumpty back together, I put the connector on and gave it a dab of red RTV to keep things in place. I think it'll be OK and since it's visible I'm going to keep an eye on it to see how it does. I had no problem with disconnecting it so I don't know why a part fell off the connector.
I guess 19 years will do that.
Both shown in JTIS as '2-WAY/BLACK', which description is about as much use as a lighthouse in a desert/[insert favourite metaphor here].
Fan control module is fused at 80A which makes the linked waytech offering a little lightweight. I did look at this when GD posted originally but came to nothing conclusive.
It seems like the only way to get a new connector is to buy a new fan control module.
I would try and wrap it with some self amalgamating tape and see how that held, would also keep the connection clean and dry, easy to cut with knife or scissors if you ever need to disconnect in the future.
It seems like the only way to get a new connector is to buy a new fan control module.
Or a Ford Focus fan... Frankly, it looks like a amp (Amphenol Sine) connector with a slightly different shell and different pin configuration (e.g. AT-04). Might be able to identify it with closer pictures. For example, ford focus 2003-04 appears to be similar/the same, see below on left side:
Or a Ford Focus fan... Frankly, it looks like a amp (Amphenol Sine) connector with a slightly different shell and different pin configuration (e.g. AT-04). Might be able to identify it with closer pictures. For example, ford focus 2003-04 appears to be similar/the same, see below on left side:
Ford focus 2003-2004.
It does look very similar indeed. Rockauto has the Ford Focus fan on wholesaler closeout at about $30, but the shipping is exorbitant. I'll check local Ford part stores and junkyards to see what I can find. They have a closeup shot of the connector and I think it looks like a match.
For what its worth here are two ideas that may help. First the electrical connectors and system on my 2000 xk8 is Denso and the connectors are largely made by Sumitomo. Sumitomo also sypplies Toyota and Lexus so there are common connectors used by Jaguar. Ballenger Motorsports has a wide selection of connectors and you may find the exact connector there or you may find a suitable replacemet and just repin the connection.