[Shop-talk] automotive connector breakout wires

[Steven Trovato]

I need access to the individual pins in automotive 
connectors.  Sometimes there are other approaches like back probing 
that work.  But other times I need to actually reach into the 
connector and connect to a pin or socket.  Most recently I was 
working on the power running boards on my Ford Expedition.  I wanted 
to apply 12 Volts to one particular pin and ground to a different pin 
to actuate the motor.  Switching the two makes the motor operate in 
the other direction.  That's how the running boards extend or 
retract.  Fortunately, the two pins I needed were separated by an 
unused pin location and I was able to use some jumper wires with 
small alligator clips.  That worked out, but if the pins had been 
adjacent I wouldn't have had enough room.  I see there are some 
breakout wire sets available like 
this: 
https://www.amazon.com/HT306-Breakout-Leads-Diagnostic-Oscilliscope/dp/B07QXZ79J2. 
This particular one seems to be designed to connect to an 
oscilloscope, which is not my situation.  There are also sets of 
automotive pins available like this: 
https://www.amazon.com/Connector-Terminal-Automotive-Electrical-Removal/dp/B0CRR3GGF1/ref=sr_1_3. 
I suppose I could make my own wires as needed.  So, what do you guys 
use for these situations?  Of course next time it will probably be a 
different car and pins will probably be a different size and/or 
shape.  I am sure I won't have every possible size and type, but I'd 
like to be able to cover a lot of the possibilities.  Have you found 
something that works for you?  Thanks.

-Steve T.


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