Water Proof XYZ

[johnclv]

HI all

99 TD5 Disco Auto

Does anyone have any great ideas as to how to waterproof the plug that is a few inches up from the XYZ sensor on side of gear box

I was traveling up Cape york the other week when my bus came to a halt with the S & M lights flashing. I obviously did not notice it straight away and thought my bus was sluggish because I was going up hill. By the time I noticed it my engine had been straining enough to cause a serious rise in temperature as well.

Anyway to cut a long story short, I though I was cactus and had organised a $2500 tow back to Cairns. I could not figure out what was the issue.

Then I noticed that when I put my car into any gear it did not show up on the dash. Oh NO I thought, XYZ sensor, I stuffed.

I saw that there was a plug a few inches away from the sensor and thought I had nothing to lose by checking it out and makin sure it was clean. I pulled it apart and with great relief saw that the plug was all green and black inside.

I dunked both ends into a cup of coke, washed them, put it together and bingo. I was very releived.

However I noticed that the plug was partially broken somehow. Some of the surrounding plastic was missing and now every time I did a water crossing the S & M lights come on and once it stalled me in the river. Not GOOD.

Nothing I have been able to do seems to waterproof the plug. No CRC, Tape wax, nothing.

Does anyone have any good ideas??

Thanks

[defenda90]

Hi, I always carry a couple of rolls of self amalgamating tape. The tape is made of a rubber type compound and it is quite flexible.
When exposed to heat and/or sunlight the tape will bond or melt to itself, eliminating the overlap joins and becoming very weatherproof. Once this happens you cannot simply unwrap the tape (like electrical tape), you will need to cut it away from the cable and connectors.

This tape is designed for outdoor use, mainly for weatherproofing exposed electrical connections or RF connectors. This is where I have utilised it on a frequent basis over the past years.

*** Important: When using this tape, you need to gently stretch it throughout the whole taping process.

When taping up an inline connection
Ideally you need to be able to start the tape on the wires to the plug in an over lapping spiral pattern, cover the 1st connector, continue the tape past the join of the 2 connectors, cover the 2nd connector and finish on the wires on the otherside.

This is not always possible as you know, especially when you are trying to cover a "bulkhead" type connection.

When taping up a bulkhead connection
Start the tape on the wires to the plug in an over lapping spiral pattern, cover the 1st connector, continue the tape past the join of the 2 connectors and cover the 2nd connector as best as possible.

Where do you find this type of tape???
You can get it from 3M suppliers, Blackwoods, RS Components and some electronics stores. Also any good RF tech or Rigger would keep some.
I havent seen it in a normal hardware store or sparkies electrical store yet.

I hope this helps.

Cheers

[p38arover]

John (and other D2 owners), I believe the problem is that an air con drain dribbles onto the switch and needs to be re-routed.

I think there is a TSB on this. BigJon or Scouse should be able to confirm.

(Note: BigJon is away for the NT long weekend).

Ron