GM wire harness connector blue retaining clips

[dlundblad]

I'm in the process of buttoning my truck back up after replacing the HVAC vacuum actuators and heater core. (The air flow works as it should now; I shot from the hip and replaced everything and still don't know what the issue was..) On the passenger side, there's 2 large connectors that go from the truck and plug into the dash that were not only plugged and snapped into place, but also had 2 large or 4 small blue retaining clips that also held everything together.

For the life if me, I can't figure out how to get them back in... Are these really necessary? Seems like a slight overkill to me, but then again, I wouldn't ask the question if they weren't giving me fits. LOL.

 

[Lubener]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[crainholio]

They slide into a slot in the connector base locking tab, perpendicular to the connector pin surface, to prevent the locking tab from opening. Look at the connector from the side and you'll see the slot.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: Lubener
A picture is worth a thousand words.


If I could find a picture of them installed, there’d be no need for this thread.

I can post a picture of what they look like, but they are just blue clips that hold the under dash wiring plugs together.

 

[Trav]

+1 on the previous poster. On the connector there is a rectangular hole, the clip goes through it from the side to prevent them being taken or coming apart without pulling the pin first.
GM uses a few different one is yours like this?



Or this?

 

[dlundblad]

The plugs are about .5"x3". 1 plug has 2 large clips and the other has 4 smaller ones.

I'll get photos tonight.

 

[clinebarger]

Like this?

 

[dlundblad]

 

[clinebarger]

Those are Terminal Pin locks, Didn't need to remove those. They slide into the back of the connector right by the wire coming out. The two big ones may be "keyed" to their locations.

 

[GMBoy]

If you are referring to the "safety" which, as mentioned above, is not required as long as you plug it in fully seated and secured. We use them mainly to ensure electrical connections are made in the plant by our operators. The safety locks will NOT engage unless the connection is fully made so it acts as a level of error proofing for us. The secondary benefit is it does reduce the change that the plug will get knocked off. You can go with out them in your application.

If you are referring to the pin locks then, yes, I would prefer they be present. If not - do something to ensure the pins are seated tightly.