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I want to take some known good signals on the ignition system of a 1990 Opel. The connectors at both ends of the harness can’t be backprobed. The connector is moulded at one end and there’s a shrouded connector at the other - no pin access at all. So, without making breakout connectors, the only option would be to open up the harness to access the wires and pierce the insulation. However, the signal wire is shielded with braiding, so that would have to be carefully separated to expose the wire.
In this case, as everything is working, making breakout connectors is the best solution . But if this was a repair and no breakouts were available, the only way would be to carefully stretch the braiding apart to expose the signal wire and pierce it. Other than using liquid tape and putting the braiding back in place afterwards, are there any other pieces of advice?
You have pretty well covered all the possible methods, I never miss the chance when I know a car is getting crushed to grab a few connectors to keep aside for making breakouts.
" We're trying to plug a hole in the universe, what are you doing ?. "
(Walter Bishop Fringe TV show)
I wasn’t expecting such a quick reply, certainly not from the US, which should still be asleep, and your name was a bit of a giveaway that it was most likely coming from lovely Scotland, which turned out to be the case. (I’m normally in Manchester.)
Thanks for the reply. I’ve just checked the connectors at the distributor and the ignition module and they’re both AMP connectors (3 pin and 4 pin). I have 2-. pin AMP breakout connectors back home,but this has been a bit of a wake-up call to make some more. So I’m literally just looking on ebay and CPC Farnell to get some. Many thanks for your kind response - I appreciate the advice of a professional.
Clearly, a copy of the Pico PP943 breakout leads. Without doubt, the Pico will be better quality, though I do have a couple of Hantek leads and current clamps and have no complaints. And of course they’re a lot cheaper than Pico’s.
I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on these leads in general (and Hantek’s in particular)?
On the face of it a far better solution than breaking through braiding, though these could be prone to interference pickup, as would a home-made breakout lead unless special cable was used.
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