Grand Prix V6-3.1L VIN J (2000)
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 J 25070 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.
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Wire insulation which is rubbed through. This causes an intermittent short as the bare area touches other wiring or parts of the vehicle.
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Refer to Testing for Electrical Intermittents for test procedures to detect intermittent open, high resistance, short to ground, and short to
voltage conditions.
Testing for Proper Terminal Contact
It is important to test terminal contact at the component and any in-line connectors before replacing a suspect component. Mating terminals must be
inspected to ensure good terminal contact. A poor connection between the male and female terminal at a connector may be the result of contamination
or deformation.
Contamination may be caused by the connector halves being improperly connected. A missing or damaged connector seal, damage to the connector
itself, or exposing the terminals to moisture and dirt can also cause contamination. Contamination, usually in the underhood or underbody connectors,
leads to terminal corrosion, causing an open circuit or intermittently open circuit.
Deformation is caused by probing the mating side of a connector terminal without the proper adapter, improperly joining the connector halves, or
repeatedly separating and joining the connector halves. Deformation, usually to the female terminal contact tang, can result in poor terminal contact
causing an open or intermittently open circuit.
Round Wire Connectors
Follow the procedure below to test terminal contact of Metri-Pack or 56 series terminals. Refer to the J 38125-B Terminal Repair Kit or the J
38125-4 Instruction Manual for terminal identification.
Follow the procedure below in order to test terminal contact.
1. Separate the connector halves.
2. Visually inspect the connector halves for contamination. Contamination may result in a white or green build-up within the connector body or
between terminals. This causes high terminal resistance, intermittent contact, or an open circuit. An underhood or underbody connector that shows
signs of contamination should be replaced in its entirety: terminals, seals, and connector body.
3. Using an equivalent male terminal from the J 38125-B, test that the retention force is significantly different between a good terminal and a suspect
terminal. Replace the female terminal in question.
Flat Wire (Dock and Lock) Connectors
There are no serviceable parts for flat wire (dock and lock) connectors on the harness side or the component side.
Follow the procedure below in order to test terminal contact.
1. Remove the component in question.
2. Visually inspect each side of the connector for signs of contamination. Avoid touching either side of the connector as oil from your skin may be a
source of contamination as well.
3. Visually inspect the terminal bearing surfaces of the flat wire circuits for splits, cracks, or other imperfections that could cause poor terminal
contact. Visually inspect the component side connector to ensure that all of the terminals are uniform and free of damage or deformation.
4. Insert the appropriate adapter from the J 42675 Flat Wire Probe Adapter Kit on the flat wire harness connector in order to test the circuit in
question.
