Speedo/Tach light button connectors

[Patrick H.]

[Dick W.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

If you are talking about what I am thinking of, they are soldered on the wire. I have taken a soldering iron and removed the old wire, stripped the wire and tinned it and put it back on the wire. A little tedious but it works

[Edward J.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

Pat if you have a Old dash harness or know of someone that has one you can salvage a socket. Those sockets with a single wire cover quite a few years.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

The problem is that they are crimped on. The original crimp is quite heavy, and next to impossible to open up.
We were successful on 2 of them, but not the 3rd.

I could graft on another socket, but would rather avoid splicing.

I have never in my life successfully soldered anything, despite multiple attempts.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

Here ya go. Used a couple just last weekend for the exact same repairs to my '69 speedo lights.

https://www.repairconnector.com/products/Lamp-Socket-Brass-Terminal-Contact-Replacement-Repair-Connector.html

As you have already noted, you will need to have the proper crimp tool:

https://www.repairconnector.com/24to-14-gauge-weather-pack-open-barrel-crimping-tool/

You can find good crimp tools on ebay for less than 1/2 this price but if you want one-stop shopping...

[Patrick H.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

Floyd,

I saw those out there, but they are different than the originals. The originals did not use tabs to fold over and crimp.
Are these then small enough diameter to make it through the hole in the socket?

PH

[Floyd B.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

Pat,

I had no problem with the finished crimp fitting into the socket. Here are some pics:

IMG_2278.jpgIMG_2279.jpgIMG_2283.jpg

[Floyd B.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

They also sell these replacement sockets with pigtails. A previous owner replaced one of my lamps with these. They aren't configured exactly the same as originals but they fit just fine and I bought a few to keep around just in case... They fit just fine into the 5/8" lamp holes on the speedo and tach.

https://www.repairconnector.com/products/Universal--License-Plate-and-Instrument-Panel-Socket-Single-Contact.html

[Patrick H.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

I've seen those, and Lectric Limited sells one that looks more correct. However, I'd like to avoid crimping on an extra piece if able.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

That's why I went with crimping a new button onto the wire and saving the original socket. It was an easy fix and looks and works fine. Good luck.

[Dick W.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

The problem is that they are crimped on. The original crimp is quite heavy, and next to impossible to open up.
We were successful on 2 of them, but not the 3rd.

I could graft on another socket, but would rather avoid splicing.

I have never in my life successfully soldered anything, despite multiple attempts.

Patrick, the secret to soldering is to tin both pieces. Heat the wire just enough to where the solder will melt from the temp of the wire, not the iron. Same for the other piece. Then place the parts together and heat again until the solder flows on both pieces. Just make sure you use rosin core solder on wiring. Acid core will cause many more problems that what you are trying to cure.

[Peter M.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

Patrick,
Is this what you are looking for?IMG_0557.jpg

[Patrick H.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

Yes, that looks like the originals.

[Peter M.]

Re: Speedo/Tach light button connectors

Patrick,
How many do you need?