3FE AFM damage repair?

[Aggiesdm]

I've got a 91 w/ a 3FE and I made the classic bonehead move and tried to remove the AFM connector by taking out the 2 screws....DOH! :whoops:

Anyway, it later resulted in the AFM failing and leaving me stranded. I've opened it up and sure enough, the thin metal tabs are torn away and not making proper contact. I was wondering if anyone has successfully resoldered these and if so, how did you do it and do you have pictures of a properly working unit. I can't figure out exactly where the pieces were soldered, so I'd like to see a working one's guts.

I've searched a ton and have yet to find a successful repair but figured I'd ask.

 

[Aggiesdm]

I've got a 91 w/ a 3FE and I made the classic bonehead move and tried to remove the AFM connector by taking out the 2 screws....DOH! :whoops:

Anyway, it later resulted in the AFM failing and leaving me stranded. I've opened it up and sure enough, the thin metal tabs are torn away and not making proper contact. I was wondering if anyone has successfully resoldered these and if so, how did you do it and do you have pictures of a properly working unit. I can't figure out exactly where the pieces were soldered, so I'd like to see a working one's guts.

I've searched a ton and have yet to find a successful repair but figured I'd ask.

Anyone???

 

[jakesiar]

I hate to admit it but I did this in the past... I actually soldered mine back and all is well. I bought a used one from a buddy so I have it as an extra... Just take your time and put the tabs back with some with a soldering kit. The part new is big $...

 

[CJF]

I've searched a ton and have yet to find a successful repair but figured I'd ask.

Don't know if I could find it either, but there definitely is a thread complete with pic's on how to repair.

 

[Aggiesdm]

Thanks all

Don't know if I could find it either, but there definitely is a thread complete with pic's on how to repair.

I've tried to solder it back myself, but not getting something right. I couldn't salvage the original metal tabs because they were completely torn off and too short to resolder, so I tried a really small gauge jumper wire, but when I do a Ohm Meter reading, there is not enough resistance on one of the leads, so I guess the metal tabs offer additional resistance or something? Also, I'd like to see an operational one so that I could make sure my connections are in the right place, but can't find a pic.

I've got a new (to me) used AFM on the way, but won't be here til mid week. Thought I'd experiment with this one to see if I could get it working and use it as a back up.

I've searched every permutation that I could think of and couldn't find a thread related to repair of AFM, but I've been told there is one here somewhere?????

 

[Kaveeks]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/301606-3-fe-vaf-meter-woes-lesson-learned-hard-way-2.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/361401-had-touch-screws-maf-pictures.html

I did this not too long ago too. It's super easy to re-solder, just don't let your nerves get you knowing that if you mess up it's a huge mistake $$$. I actually don't think you need to solder if you bend the prongs so that they are forced to touch the board when reinserted.

 

[Aggiesdm]

Thanks all

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/301606-3-fe-vaf-meter-woes-lesson-learned-hard-way-2.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/361401-had-touch-screws-maf-pictures.html

I did this not too long ago too. It's super easy to re-solder, just don't let your nerves get you knowing that if you mess up it's a huge mistake $$$. I actually don't think you need to solder if you bend the prongs so that they are forced to touch the board when reinserted.

Thanks for the links. I've been searching hi and low, but didn't know what to search for, so...

Anyway, I'll be trying this today, but let me get it straight. You DON'T need the little tabs that were soldered on before? The prongs just need to make good contact with the board? Looks simple enough and I'm decent with a soldering iron, so I'll give it a go.

 

[Kaveeks]

Correct. Those little tabs are sitting in my desk right now and my truck runs great. I kept 'em just in case they were needed, but guess not. I de-soldered the tabs and soldered the prongs to the board. Then I re-sealed the top cover with clear RTV silicone, which didn't turn out as clean as it could have, but everything works.

 

[Aggiesdm]

Thanks for the info

Thanks Kaveek I will be doing that today, although I won't be able to test it...

Since she's been grounded, I figured I'd do some other projects that I've had on the back burner. I wanted to replace the high pressure power steering hose, but the radiator, fan, shroud, battery, tray....all have to be removed to do this. Well I dug in and opened Pandora's box. Got it all out, but dislodged a fin on the radiator and broke the drain plug doing it, so gotta get that fixed tomorrow and then on top of that, I noticed that most of my hoses are VERY old, so I'm going to replace those and the belts while I have easier access to them. Not big things, but time consuming.

SO, once I get that buttoned up, I'll try out the repaired AFM and hopefully have my baby back on the road!

 

[CJF]

Since she's been grounded, I figured I'd do some other projects that I've had on the back burner.

As soon as I read that, I thought, "No, no, that's not good."

 

[Aggiesdm]

As soon as I read that, I thought, "No, no, that's not good."

You are correct sir. The radiator couldn't be repaired, so had to order a new one and the hoses, belts etc were another $175. This is getting to be an expensive hobby.