Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: saigon71 Feb 24 2019, 12:37 PM

One of my winter projects was to install a new set of heat control cables from 914 Rubber. My old ones were always too short, causing heat to roll into the cabin year round. When I disconnected the wire from the bottom of the heat control lever, the spade terminal that powers the fan broke off.



This circuit relies on the blob of brass? on the back side to make contact with the metal of the lever, grounding the circuit and allowing the fan to run.



I tried drilling out the old connection, but it started spinning on me. Next step was to use a Dremmel tool with a cut off wheel to grind one side down. Unfortunately, this heated up the plastic and effectively melted the connection out of the plastic piece. Luckily, there was still enough meat left on the plastic for my plan to work.

If I ever need to fix another one, I will work a little at a time with the Dremmel, letting things cool down to avoid the melting problem.





I took a trip the nut and bolt section of my local ACE Hardware in search of a solution. I found a #8 X 32 brass, round head machine screw. The screw head had nearly the same dimensions as the original blob. I matched it up with a brass nut and some washers. I couldn't find a connection like the original, so I used a crimp ring terminal mated with a short piece of wire and a crimp spade terminal. I cut the excess length off the screw.





I installed everything and tested it. This assembly is a tight fit in the tunnel. On my first pass, I had a problem with the fan running constantly. I realized that the brass nut was touching a tube in the tunnel, grounding out and powering the fan. I just removed a washer to correct it.

Posted by: mepstein Feb 24 2019, 03:40 PM

Bob - Nice work but the other solution would be to text me and I'll send you one.

Posted by: saigon71 Feb 25 2019, 11:43 AM

QUOTE(mepstein @ Feb 24 2019, 04:40 PM)

Bob - Nice work but the other solution would be to text me and I'll send you one.