Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Broken alternator connector

Was replacing my alternator on a 99 Ford Contour Sport SE and I broke one off the connectors to the alternator (not on the alternator itself, just a wire to the alternator). (The gray one ââ?¬â?? connected to the battery warning light, I think, single wire, snap on, spade connector) Iââ?¬â?¢ve managed to repair it for now with JBWeld, but eventually it will have to be replaced because the catching mechanism that keeps it in place wonââ?¬â?¢t engage. Electrical connection is OK as long as it doesnââ?¬â?¢t come off.

Question: Where can you get something like this? I think splicing a new one would be OK if I could get it. Auto parts stores donââ?¬â?¢t seem to have this type of stuff. Will a salvage yard cut one off ââ?¬â?? does anyone know? I doubt I could get it from the dealership (donââ?¬â?¢t want to).

You might be able to find it if you try hard enough. Ford doesn't usually supply most electrivcal connectors, but often dealers have another source for connectors. A wrecking yard might let you cut the connector off.

To be honest, most usually something like this is repaired by forgetting about the connector and wiring direct, preferrably by soldering the leads and covering with heat shrink tubing.

Really never occurred to me to solder it directly. Actually, that's a good idea. I could solder a connector to the alternator while it's on the workbench, then do some kind of quick connect on the other end. This way, I don't have to solder the wire onto the alternator after it is installed (which would be hard but not impossible, I guess).
That would let me disconnect it again if I have to.

Thanks.