Electrical Connectors — General Information (Mitsubishi Galant 6)

Most on-board electrical circuit connectors are made of plastic and are multi-pin. The halves of these connectors are held together securely by snapping the locking tabs of the connectors into place. Large connectors, such as some of those located under the dashboard, are most often held together by through bolts threaded through the center of the connectors.

To disconnect connectors equipped with plastic locks, a small screwdriver is usually used, with which the locking tabs should be carefully pressed (first carefully study the design of the mated connector - it is often not easy to determine by eye how its halves are fixed; some connectors are equipped with several locking units). Pull only on the plug, and under no circumstances on the wiring harness, to avoid accidental damage to the contact terminals built into the connector.

Connectors always consist of two halves, the terminals of one of which enter the terminals of the other. When studying schematic images of connectors, try to first determine which of its halves is shown in the illustration - connected to the harness or fixed to the component. Remember that the terminals of one half of the connector are always placed in mirror image in relation to the terminals of the other.

Often, when diagnosing electrical circuit failures, it is necessary to check the voltage at the terminals of a mated connector. For such tests, the meter probe is inserted into the corresponding terminal on the back of the plug. Be careful not to bend or deform the terminals. If the terminal sockets are too small, use an unbent metal paper clip as a probe, to which you can then connect the meter wire using an alligator clip.