Metro L4-079 1.3L VIN 2 MFI (2001)
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Backprobe both ends of the connector and either hold the leads in place while manipulating the connector or tape the leads to the harness for
continuous monitoring while you perform other operations or test driving. Refer to Probing Electrical Connectors.
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Disconnect the harness at both ends of the suspected circuit where it connects either to a component or to other harnesses.
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If the system that is being diagnosed has a specified pinout or breakout box, it may be used in order to simplify connecting the DMM to the circuit
or for testing multiple circuits quickly.
Fused Jumper Wires
IMPORTANT: A fused jumper may not protect solid state components from being damaged.
The J36169-A fused jumper includes small clamp connectors that provide adaptation to most connectors without damage. This fused jumper wire is
supplied with a 20 A fuse which may not be suitable for some circuits. Do not use a fuse with a higher rating than the fuse that protects the circuit being
tested.
Inducing Intermittent Fault Conditions
In order to duplicate the customer's concern, it may be necessary to manipulate the wiring harness if the malfunction appears to be vibration related.
Manipulation of a circuit can consist of a wide variety of actions, including:
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Wiggling the harness
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Disconnecting a connector and reconnecting
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Stressing the mechanical connection of a connector
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Pulling on the harness or wire in order to identify a separation/break inside the insulation
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Relocating a harness or wires
All these actions should be performed with some goal in mind. For instance, with a scan tool connected, wiggling the wires may uncover a faulty input to
the control module. The snapshot option would be appropriate here. Refer to Scan Tool Snapshot Procedure. You may need to load the vehicle in order
to duplicate the concern. This may require the use of weights, floor jacks, jackstands, frame machines, etc. In these cases you are attempting to duplicate
the concern by manipulating the suspension or frame. This method is useful in finding harnesses that are too short and their connectors pull apart enough
to cause a poor connection. A DMM set to Peak Min/Max mode and connected to the suspect circuit while testing can yield desirable results. Refer to
Testing for Electrical Intermittents.
Certainly, using the senses of sight, smell, and hearing while manipulating the circuit can provide good results as well.
There may be instances where circuit manipulation alone won't meet the required criteria for the fault condition to appear. In such cases it may be
necessary to expose the suspect circuit to other conditions while manipulating the harness. Such conditions would include high moisture conditions,
along with exceptionally high or low temperatures. The following discusses how to expose the circuit to these kinds of conditions.
Salt Water Spray
Some compounds possess the ability to conduct electricity when dissolved in water such as ordinary salt. By mixing table salt with water in sufficient
quantities, you can enhance the conductive properties of water so that any circuit which may be sensitive to moisture will more readily fail when
liberally sprayed with this mixture.
Mixing 12 ounces of water with approximately 1 tablespoon of salt will yield a salt solution of 5%. Fill a normal spray bottle with this mixture. This
mixture is sufficient to enhance the water's own conductivity. This may cause the circuit to fail more easily when sprayed. Once the mixture is
completed, spray the suspect area liberally with the solution. Then, while monitoring either a scan tool or DMM, manipulate the harness as discussed
previously.
High Temperature Conditions
If the complaint tends to be heat related, you can simulate the condition using the J25070 Heat Gun. Using the heat gun, you can heat up the suspected
area or component. Manipulate the harnesses under high temperature conditions while monitoring the scan tool or DMM to locate the fault condition.
The high temperature condition may be achieved simply by test driving the vehicle at normal operating temperature. If a heat gun is unavailable,
consider this option to enhance your diagnosis. This option does not allow for the same control, however.
Low Temperature Conditions
Depending on the nature of the fault condition, placing a fan in front of the vehicle while the vehicle is in the shade can have the desired effect.
If this is unsuccessful, use local cooling treatments such as ice or a venturi type nozzle (one that provides hot or cold air). This type of tool is capable
of producing air stream temperatures down to 0°F from one end and 160°F from the other. This is ideally suited for localized cooling needs.
Once the vehicle, component, or harness has been sufficiently cooled, manipulate the harness or components in an effort to duplicate the concern.
Intermittents
Most intermittent are caused by faulty electrical connections or wiring. Inspect for the following items:
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Wiring broken inside the insulation.
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Poor connection between the male and female terminal at a connector. Refer to Testing for Proper Terminal Contact below for the specific
procedure.
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Poor terminal to wire connection. Some conditions which fall under this description are poor crimps, poor solder joints, crimping over the wire
insulation rather than the wire itself and corrosion in the wire to terminal contact area, etc.
