Electrical connectors — general information

Most of the onboard electrical circuit connectors are made of plastic and are multi-contact. The reliability of the articulation of the halves of such connectors is ensured by snapping the locking tabs of the latches mounted in the plugs. Large connectors, such as some of those located under the dashboard of a car, are most often held together by through-bolts threaded through the center of the plugs.

To disconnect connectors equipped with plastic latches, a small screwdriver is usually used, which should be carefully pressed out of the locking tabs (first, carefully study the design of the docked connector - it is often not at all easy to determine how to fix its halves by eye; some connectors are equipped with multiple locking nodes). Pull only on the plug, and in no case on the wiring harness, in order to avoid accidental damage to the contact terminals mounted in the connector.

Connectors always consist of two halves, the terminals of one of which fit inside the terminals of the other. When studying connector schematics, first of all try to determine which of its halves is shown in the illustration - connected to the harness, or fixed to the component. Remember that the terminals of one half of the connector are always mirrored with respect to the terminals of the other.

Often, when diagnosing electrical circuit failures, it becomes necessary to check the voltage at the terminals of the docked connector. For such checks, the meter probe is inserted into the corresponding terminal on the back of the plug. Be careful not to bend or deform the terminals. If the terminal sockets are too small, use an unfolded metal paper clip as a probe, to which you can then connect the meter lead using an alligator clip.