The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Loose Female Terminal connector to Ignition Switch

I apologize for the funny title, but it is what it is, LOL. I am using the typical connector with a plastic cover to connect the ignition wire to the ignition key switch, but it is loose and falls off easily. Is there a way to tighten these connectors up, or should i just snip off and put a different one on??? Thanks.

You can squeeze the curled edges a bit with a pair of needle nose pliers. If you squeeze it down too much you won't be able to install it, so be careful.

What Jason said. I had a 1984 GMC that started backfiring and cutting out. I thought I had it solved when I replaced the ignition resistance wire and finally found the culprit. A loose female terminal in the plastic connector that goes on the coil terminals. A little squeeze and it was fixed. Or it might have been the 1972 Chevy K10.

You can release the terminal from the connector shell from the front and remove the wire from the rear. Push wire inward, tiny flat blade screw driver to lift locking tab, pull wire back and out. Fix contact retention friction as mentioned or crimp on new female contact...... but don't assume that is the problem until examination. You wouldn't notice one or two loose matings. "falls off easily" is highly unusual. It locks on. What have you done to that area lately? New or donor switch, connector or contacts? Time to testify under oath. This is not our first rodeo. Something funky in Denmark...or in your case, up in Bismarck.

Pics help a lot. Vendor and part numbers helps a lot. Ign Sw part number and pic is necessary. Showing male contacts. Show connector plugged on also.
Should be Packard 56 (Delphi 56) connector and contacts.

"typical connector with a plastic cover".......lets see that.