Can someone tell me the size/gauge of the wires for both the injector and coil packs please?

 

I've had what seems like the inevitable "working perfectly last time I used the Z - now it's missing on one cylinder" experience and I've decided to take the plunge in recognition of the fact that I'm dealing with a 21-year old car. If one of whatever-it-is has gone wrong, there's another five waiting in the wings... Yep; I wouldn't mind betting it's just a corroded connection or brittle wire somewhere but I've gone overboard and ordered a Series 2 PTU; 6 coil pack plug/looms; 6 injector plug/looms and 6 new spark plugs. Together with a replacement hose set for when I have to remove the balance bar. Oh, and a new set of red intercooler hoses - completely unnecessary but who can resist shiny bright-coloured things?? :rolleyes:

 

Overkill? Probably - but that'll teach it to go wrong on me! :lol:

 

Soldering is not one of my skills so I'm planning to wire in the new stuff with heat-shrink crimp butt connectors - for which I must obviously use the correct size . I know I can go down to the stricken beast and measure the wires myself but I bet there's someone here who knows the sizes off the top of their head.

 

So can anyone help, please?

 

Cheers

 

Dave

DO NOT CRIMP...... Please, Please, Please do not crimp the new wires on as you are asking for trouble..... It is relatively easy to solder the new ones on....

I would even do it for you..... it took me an afternoon to get the wires nice and neat, correct lengths for tucking them away and all heat shrink covered and looking lovely......

 

Crimp connectors are fine if you can't solder, but I personally wouldn't recommend it for things like coil packs and injectors......

I used to fit alarms, audio systems, etc..... I have used both crimps and soldering for various things and will use crimps inside a vehicle, but try to avoid using them externally when ever possible......

 

But that is just my 2p worth.......lol

 

Russ

DO NOT CRIMP...... Please, Please, Please do not crimp the new wires on as you are asking for trouble..... It is relatively easy to solder the new ones on....

I would even do it for you..... it took me an afternoon to get the wires nice and neat, correct lengths for tucking them away and all heat shrink covered and looking lovely......

 

Crimp connectors are fine if you can't solder, but I personally wouldn't recommend it for things like coil packs and injectors......

I used to fit alarms, audio systems, etc..... I have used both crimps and soldering for various things and will use crimps inside a vehicle, but try to avoid using them externally when ever possible......

 

But that is just my 2p worth.......lol

 

Russ

 

Well; thanks for the interest, Russ. Sounds like you've had a ton of experience with soldering - I've had none!

 

I've run through the whole solder vs crimp thing in my head and I've read a load of the stuff on this forum. The key bit for me in your reply is "Crimp connectors are fine if you can't solder". Guess what? I can't solder! No doubt I could teach myself but it seems to me that a poorly executed solder is going to give more problems in the end than a well-crimped joint. I can see that to a perfectionist a beautifully soldered joint is a thing of pride but I'm not sure I can see how a robustly-crimped, heat shrunk joint will be problematic sat on the top of an engine. Haven't I read on here that soldered joints can fail? Perhaps not.

 

Anyhow; I'm not an accomplished solderer (?) so I'm stuck with at least trying crimping. I don't want this thread to turn into a crimp vs solder debate - I just want an answer to the question. Failing which I'll just measure the wires anyway.

 

And thanks again, Russ, for your comments. Deep down I probably agree with you but I'm stuck with my own level of (in)competence.

 

Cheers

 

Dave

Hi Dave, If your going to go the crimp route then get a good set of ratchet crimpers like these.....http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/crimping-pliers-ratchet?da=1&TC=SRC-ratchet+crimpers

It will give you a better connection.... as the cheap ones you get are useless......

Russ

Thanks Russ

 

That's a good tip - I'll be ordering them tonight.

 

And thanks again for your comments. As I said, I would agree with you - I'd love to be able to end the weekend, admiring 30 beautifully neat, professional, strong soldered joints under the Z's bonnet. But short of reading up/watching YouTube videos, researching the best of everything to buy and taking a couple of weeks after work or at the weekend to practice on odd bits of wire, it ain't going to happen! Sadly...

 

Perhaps I'm being limp-wristed but I also don't want to run the car with at least one cylinder not firing the few miles to a guy who's worked on the car before. It would just pain me to make the thing limp along. Of course, if I can make it run by, say, cleaning a connector or something then that's a whole new ball-game. I'd rather have someone do the wiring to the highest standard if possible.

 

But thanks again for your help. Fingers crossed...

 

Cheers

 

Dave