Bulkhead Connector Hell

[340Challman]

I need a reality check here. I am wiring out the engine compartment with all new harnesses from M&H. The bulkhead connector and all of the interior wiring is also M&H.

My problem: Should I need to be the Hulk to press in the harnesses in the engine compartment? I am starting with the passenger side harness. I cannot get that thing seated to save my life. I can't get crap for leverage or put any decent pressure on it hanging over the fender like I am. I am squeezing the latches, and it just isn't happening. I've been going at it for the better part of an hour and my back is killing me. Hopefully there is a method or trick that I am unaware of to seat these things, because if there isn't, I have no idea how I'm going to make this happen.

 

[Floyd]

@340Challman

I ran into the same problem.    You'll need to pry open the individual female connectors slightly with a small flat head screwdriver to make them a little less tight.  it was a real SOB until I did that. 

[340Challman]

@Floyd  Ok. I was hesitant to do that. I didn't want to lose connection on any of them. I checked all of the spades for alignment issues and everything is well within what should be tolerable. Wow, that's kind of ridiculous to make them that tight. I even have a good amount of dielectric grease in there as well. I will give that a go tomorrow. I'm destroyed for tonight. I assume I'm going to run into the same issue with the driver side harness as well. Thank you sir. 

[Floyd]

insanely tight.  it's been awhile since I did it, but only remember having trouble with one of the harnesses (can't remember which).

[Katfish]

Don't put the grease on connectors where they seat.
It's supposed to go around them, not inside the connection.

[dodj]

Don't put the grease on connectors where they seat.
It's supposed to go around them, not inside the connection.

Hmm? It's supposed to coat the entire metallic part of the connection to prevent air from contacting the metal and causing oxidation or fretting.

[ebodyproducts]

You will have issues if the male terminals aren't perfectly straight.  If just one is off a little there is no chance of the connectors mating.  Alignment is key.

[340Challman]

Don't put the grease on connectors where they seat.
It's supposed to go around them, not inside the connection.

True, but I can't put it on these connections after the fact, so I was counting on some tightness to make a clean connection. Just not this tight. 

[340Challman]

You will have issues if the male terminals aren't perfectly straight.  If just one is off a little there is no chance of the connectors mating.  Alignment is key.

Yep, I checked that. I have never understood multiple spade connections. Single is fine, but multiples are problematic. If you need multiple connections, a pin or pole type connector is the best. They are self aligning and can be very weather tight like a cannon plug style connector.

[ebodyproducts]

You will have issues if the male terminals aren't perfectly straight.  If just one is off a little there is no chance of the connectors mating.  Alignment is key.

Yep, I checked that. I have never understood multiple spade connections. Single is fine, but multiples are problematic. If you need multiple connections, a pin or pole type connector is the best. They are self aligning and can be very weather tight like a cannon plug style connector.

I wish they could all be Deutsch connectors.

[dodj]

Don't put the grease on connectors where they seat.
It's supposed to go around them, not inside the connection.

True, but I can't put it on these connections after the fact, so I was counting on some tightness to make a clean connection. Just not this tight. 

Not true.

[340Challman]

Don't put the grease on connectors where they seat.
It's supposed to go around them, not inside the connection.

True, but I can't put it on these connections after the fact, so I was counting on some tightness to make a clean connection. Just not this tight. 

Not true.

@dodj  I'm not sure what you're referring to. Are you talking about whether to put it on connections or not? If you are, then I'm going to agree with both you and @Katfish. Dielectric grease is a non-conductive grease. That is fact. With that said, I put it on all of my connections. I did my own experiments with it many years ago. I ohmed a connection that I had just cleaned and put no dielectric grease on and then I ohmed the same connection after I put grease on it. It ohmed the same. As long as the connection has enough "tightness" shall we say to cut a clean connection while putting it together, it will be fine and then it is well protected as you said. I have been doing this for many years and the only time I have had a problem was when the connection was poor to begin with.

Cheers Guys. 

[Katfish]

You're correct, some incorrectly believe the grease "improves" the conductivity.
In a perfect world. you'd push the connectors together, then completely cover the outside of all the metal creating a barrier.
The best we can do, with the plastic connector housings, is to pack it up completely and let the male spade cut a path.

[dodj]

@340Challman , I was referring to where you said 'true' about Rod's first statement which I didn't really agree with. However, I probably just didn't comprehend quite what he was saying. I completely agree with how he stated it the second time.
I'll go back to my corner now.....