wanted-black block connector 15 pin for hydractive ECU

[Aerodynamica]

I've traced a wiring fault to here buy found the connector to be impossible to open/ repair so I'd like to splice in another block connector

Can this be done? Is there a kit available to replace these kind of sealed units?

[xmexclusive]

These ECU plugs are rubber injection molded after the wiring is fitted.
Excavating them to repair an individual wire or contact is virtually impossible.
Replace the loom or graft in a replacement plug by joining all 15 wires.

John

[MTXM]

Would it not be simpler just to fit an extra wire to bypass the faulty connection Graeme, assuming you know which wire s causing the problem! Regards, Matthew T.

[Aerodynamica]

That's what I'm doing but the continuity break is actually in the block connector itself so I can't bypass it physically. It's just awkward situation.

I am removing the lot to add in a full set of wires but I don't have a replacement 15 pin block connector.

There's actually only 12 of the 15 pins used.

Luckily at the weekend I won a set of XM factory manuals on eBay that were located not far away so I have finally got detailed wiring diagrams!

[MTXM]

It sounds like you are on the way to solving the problem Graeme and I admire your perseverance! A set of factory manuals is also certainly a handy thing if you are going to keep the car. Regards, Matthew T.

[White Exec]

I'd agree with John's suggestion of grafting on a replacement 15-pin plug with a bit of wiring behind it. Good solder joints for each and some heat-shrink sleeving should work well and leave a tidy job. Just make sure you check everything 3 times and label everything up!!! Trying to hop in to one dodgy pin on the ECU is always going to be a bit of a bodge.

If you know which wire going into the 15-pin plug is dodgy (i.e. doesn't give continuity to the speedo interface), have you tried putting a test meter between the offending pin and a fine needle pushed through the corresponding wire leading up the the plug? That will show for sure whether the break is in the plug itself, or not. Just a thought, before surgery.

Good luck, Graeme - you deserve a solution for this.

[Aerodynamica]

Hi Chris, yes I used a needle and the break in continuity is inside the plug (or maybe very close to it). I took the afternoon off to temporarily hard wie the pins directly and to perform the experiment with the speed sensor as well and it turns out........... bypassing the speedo interface and adding a connection to pin 6 (not used when there's a speed interfce) to the speed sensor allows the system to operate as normal - I have just driven 9 miles with fully functional hydractive for the first time since I got the car!!! quite pleased as it means the speed sensor works ok, the ECU is fine and the problem was caused by the break in the connection from the speedo interface to the Hydractive ECU and/or the speedo interface itself (not got this confirmed yet as it's disconnected for now).

So my plan is to find a good replacement 15 pin connector. But where from? Can these be bought as a replacement? Or can anyone remove one from a scrap XM?

Thanks for your brilliant help so far! (just need to find out what's wrong with the petrol injection.....)

[White Exec]

I would have thought that the chances of finding another 15-pin plug with a fault were next to non-existent, so a scrap item should sort the problem fine. Just put out a call for a connector from the same version of vehicle, so pairing up the wiring should be straightforward.

[xmexclusive]

Just checked a pair of recovered connectors stored under the work bench.
HA I and HA II connectors are different wiring.
The heavy yellow wires are in different positions as are the blanks.
You need a HA I.
These recovered ones are waiting for me to make up test leads.
I will have a look around to see if I have another HA I one in the heap.

John

[Aerodynamica]

That would be great John, the heavy yellow wires would be pins 1, 11, 9 on the black connector. I need one that also has pin 6 in use as it's the only way to run the speed sensor to the ECU.

Let me know!!