Autotag lite/Scotchlok question

[Alfred]

Hey Gang,

Trying to fix the taglights on my truck. Something is loose, as sometimes one light will be on, but not the other, then both are on, then both are off, etc. I will not pass the NC auto inspection unless they are both lit and stay lit when I go through the line...

I looked underneath and the wires are sort of dangling (meaning it doesn't look like a factory job) and they are connected by blue connectors that look a lot like this:

Scotchlok 557


When I shake the wires the lights come on/off again, so it is a loose connection, and I think the connectors are the culprit. They look aged and one of them the plastic has stress cracks.

I am tempted to just cut 'em off, wrap the wires together and use black electrical tape, but I know that isnt how it is supposed to be done - So what to I need to do to fix them?

Thanks, AL.

[mary and bob]

Those type connectors are no good where they are exposed to the weather. When I was working on big trucks & trailers, til retiring 6 months ago, we used butt connectors that came in three sizes and sealed by heating the outer plastic ends. We used a small butane torch to heat them. By using the largest one, made for 10 ga. wire, we could get a couple 14 or 16 ga wires in each end. These connectors worked the best of any type connector I have used for sealing out the weather. But here in the northeast we still would have corrosion problems at times. You can also buy heat shrink tubing to go over wiring connections. Not sure of the manufacturer of what we used, as we bought all that stuff from the company owned supplier, which is Network Sales, owned by Ryder. Bob

[PaulC]

I always use solder and heatshrink when joining wires. I've found that this is the only way to ensure a long life connection. Personally I think the inventor of scotchlock connecters should have been shot at birth
Cheers
Paul

[asianflava]

I really don't like those taps. Some folks use them when they are apprehensive about cutting the wire. I usually go ahead and cut the wire and use a butt connector.

[madjack]

I always use solder and heatshrink when joining wires. I've found that this is the only way to ensure a long life connection. Personally I think the inventor of scotchlock connecters should have been shot at birth
Cheers
Paul

I couldn't agree more with both parts of Paul's statement...solder and heat shrink is best...regular crimp type butt connectors are pretty good as well and the butt connectors that are made with a low temp solder ring and heat shrink tubing are the cat's meow(if you can find 'em)...leave the skotch-loks to the emergency fix category only......................
madjack