Wiring Fix Qestion

May I interject with some advice?

ANYTIME you have a wiring issue inside the car, remember where the power source is; it's OUTSIDE the car. When the wiring for our cars were designed "back in the day" it all worked. Over time, corrision forms and the by-product is resistence. This is what causes stuff to fry in the car. The bulkhead connector is NOTORIOUS for raising hell. After you fix what already melted, check that connector. Sure, it's a pain in the a$$ to get under there, but make room, get comfortable, and have a plastic housing drop light (they don't burn as much when it falls on your forehead....) and pull it apart and visually check the terminals for a greenish tint. Go to Radio Shack and find a spray can of corrosion-killer, or whatever it's called, and follow the directions and seperate the connection and clean it. If things are toast (or if your REALLY ambitious...) pull each terminal out ONE AT A TIME and replace whats bad. While it's apart you can clean them with a trimed-down carboard nailfile (the type that come 20 in a package for like $2.00) and clean the insides while they're still installed in the plug. Get an old pair of scissors (by the second cut they'll be shot...) and narrow the end of the file so it fits inside the female end of the terminals. The male ends protrudes and are a little easier to polish ( no comments Ladies... and you know who you are ;) ) With a VERY SMALL flat blade screwdriver (or a pointed pick) GENTLY bend the edges of the terminals down to grab the male portion and make the contact tighter. Man, this is tedious work, but do it right once, and you'll have trouble-free driving.

This is the FIRST THING everyone should look at when they aquire an old Mopar, or have a goofy problem. So many issues stem from this connection. ESPECIALLY for us poor bastards that live in the rust belt. This connection gets sprayed with whatever can get into (or OUT of..) the engine compartment. Road salt, anti-freeze, oil, etc.

Now, to answer your question. When a manufacture uses a multi-terminal connection it's mostly for convience in assembly and servicing. Like Player1up & RedFish suggested, replace what needs (or SHOULD) be replaced with insulated terminals with all connections soldered and shrink wrapped. It's also a good idea to have a copy of YOUR cars wiring diagram handy. Don't trust the previous owners ability to diagnosis and repair. This might also be the cause of just such problems.

Do a good job once, and you won't look bad fixing what you already fixed. [-X