Hey gang, I've been having some electrical woes for a little while now and have been chasing things around trying to find the culprit.
Long story long: The pigtail came off the positive terminal of the battery and was sparking whenever I hit a bump. Sparks, smoke, and pops. Reconnected, installed a new stereo, and said goodbye to the once-working dash clock (RIP you beautiful analog angel). Everything was wonderful again. Cut to a month ago and, after making a right hand turn, the voltage goes through the roof. The AC starts blowing hard, the tach spikes to redline, and everything with electricity to it is seconds from dead. I turned off the AC to salvage that, but the new stereo pops and goes out. When I turn the ignition off and back on, everything is fine again. Limp her home and park. The pigtail is still on and everything looks OK. No fires or arc welding that I can see. Upon closer inspection, I notice the wire shielding on the wiper motor is a complete mess. Some of it's hanging in there, but most of it has fallen off and exposing bare wires which are now huddling together for warmth. I replaced the wiper motor and installed a spare voltage regulator (not sure if the regulator is bad at this point). I fear it's a wire grounding somewhere since it was a bump that set this in motion. Hopefully not.
The wiper motor I ordered came without the connector and the original one was falling apart in my hand as I disconnected it. I found a new connector on yearone.com (see below), but I need to get the pins, which I have yet to find sold separate from something else. If anyone knows where I can find the pins (or a complete connector), that would be wonderful. Also, any insight on to where my electrical problem may lie would also be greatly appreciated. Sadly, having worked on electronics in the military, I know all about these gremlins and their propensity to hide really well.
Thanks ahead of time,
Justin
The connector:
The pins (second from the left):
