Question about electrical wire connectors

I need to electrically disconnect my a/c compressor. It is running continuously and doesn’t respond to the controls. Based on what I’ve read from our technical resources I need to replace the controller. Until I’m ready to do that I want to shut off the compressor.

The red wire comes out of the compressor and comes up through the engine bay. The red wire from the compressor connects to a black wire. They are connected via a square plastic device that they both plug into. I think this was called a “paddle” connector. I tried pulling the black wire out of the connector using minimal force, it did not come out.

I don’t want to damage it so I am asking the group for advice. “What is the proper way to break this connection?” Do I simply need to get a firm hold on the metal prong at the end of the wire and use something like needle nose pliers and just pull the prong out of the plastic device? Or is there some other preferred way to work with this connector?

Thanks

Glenn

GlennS;1707 wrote: I need to electrically disconnect my a/c compressor. It is running continuously and doesn’t respond to the controls. Based on what I’ve read from our technical resources I need to replace the controller. Until I’m ready to do that I want to shut off the compressor.

The red wire comes out of the compressor and comes up through the engine bay. The red wire from the compressor connects to a black wire. They are connected via a square plastic device that they both plug into. I think this was called a “paddle” connector. I tried pulling the black wire out of the connector using minimal force, it did not come out.

I don’t want to damage it so I am asking the group for advice. “What is the proper way to break this connection?” Do I simply need to get a firm hold on the metal prong at the end of the wire and use something like needle nose pliers and just pull the prong out of the plastic device? Or is there some other preferred way to work with this connector?

Thanks

Glenn

My first thought would be to remove the fuse or relay. Won't this work?

Unplug the wire that comes from the top of the A/C compressor, it should be running right up through the air pump bracket and has a snap on the passenger side cam cover. Square brown plastic connector has spades inside.

Unplug and you are good to go.

ya mine was very very stiff/tight. i could not get it with out pliers.
i replaced the connector with a modern connector.

I went for Brad's solution. It worked like a charm. It is a tight fit, so I just cut the wire and intalled a new connection. Because of the location (right in the middle of lots of belt action) I secured the loose end on the A/C compressor side to the dip stick with a tie wrap.

Regarding pulling a fuse or relay I couldn't identify a fuse that de-energized the A/C compressor only. Based on the research I did I think the relay is in the controller module. I hope this is the case because I'm planning to replace the contrroller assembly this winter while the car is in lay up. I'm hoping that will solve the problem with the continuously running A/C sysytem.

Thanks all

Glenn

GlennS;1716 wrote: I went for Brad's solution. It worked like a charm. It is a tight fit, so I just cut the wire and intalled a new connection. Because of the location (right in the middle of lots of belt action) I secured the loose end on the A/C compressor side to the dip stick with a tie wrap.

Regarding pulling a fuse or relay I couldn't identify a fuse that de-energized the A/C compressor only. Based on the research I did I think the relay is in the controller module. I hope this is the case because I'm planning to replace the contrroller assembly this winter while the car is in lay up. I'm hoping that will solve the problem with the continuously running A/C sysytem.

Thanks all

Glenn

Ya Glenn, if the relay is stuck on then it will have power all the time. A easy way to tell is to swap it with another look alike relay. If its the horn relay you would know right away. ha ha