Splicing Procedure
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Buick LaCrosse and 2008 Buick Allure. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Open the harness.
- If the harness is taped, remove the tape.
- To avoid wiring insulation damage, use a sewing ripper in order to cut open the harness.
- If the harness has a black plastic conduit, pull out the desired wire.
- Cut the wire.
- Cut as little wire off the harness as possible.
- Ensure that each splice is at least 40 mm (1.5 in) away from other splices, harness branches, and connectors. This helps prevent moisture from bridging adjacent splices and causing damage.
- Select the proper size and type of wire.
- The wire must be of equal or greater size than the original.
- The wires insulation must have the same or higher temperature rating (4).
- Use general purpose insulation for areas that are not subject to high temperatures.
- Use a cross-linked polyethylene insulated wire for areas where high temperatures are expected.IMPORTANT: Use cross-linked polyethylene wire to replace PVC, but do not replace cross-linked polyethylene with PVC.
Cross-linked polyethylene wire is not fuel resistant. Do not use to replace wire where there is the possibility of fuel contact.
- Strip the insulation.
- Select the correct size opening in the wire stripper or work down from the largest size.
- Strip approximately 7.5 mm (5/16 in) of insulation from each wire to be spliced (1).
- Select the proper duraseal splice sleeve (2) and the required crimp nest tool. Refer to the Crimp and Seal Splice information.
- Place the duraseal splice sleeve in the J-38125-8 (GM P/N 12085115) crimp tool nest so that the crimp falls at point 1 on the splice.
- Close the hand crimper handles slightly in order to hold the duraseal splice sleeve firmly in the proper crimp tool nest.
- Insert the wires into the duraseal splice sleeve until the wire hits the barrel stop. The splice sleeve has a stop in the middle of the barrel in order to prevent the wire from passing through the splice (3).
- Close the handles of the J-38125-8 (GM P/N 12085115), until the crimper handles open when released. The crimper handles will not open until the proper amount of pressure is applied to the splice sleeve.
- Shrink the insulation around the splice.
- Using the heat torch, apply heat to the crimped area of the barrel.
- Gradually move the heat barrel to the open end of the tubing.
- The tubing will shrink completely as the heat is moved along the insulation.
- A small amount of sealant will come out of the end of the tubing when sufficient shrinkage is achieved.