[mlarson]

So I'm looking to replace the Heater connector/plug which plugs into the back of the passenger compartment fuse panel (under the dash, driver side). Mine has melted and is starting to melt the fuse panel. I've found on another website that this connector is referred to as the C371 Connector and I've also seen a secondary number of: 14K733.

I contacted my Ford parts store to try and find a replacement connector without having to buy an entire fuse box, etc.

The closest part I've been able to find through them is the WPT-480 Resistor Blower Motor connector.

MOTORCRAFT WPT-480 Electrical Connector, HVAC | eBay

This looks like a very similar connection to the one that goes into the fuse panel. I know the connector at the fuse panel only uses 3 of the 4 pronges on the connector, but I was wondering if this WPT-480 resistor connector would fit the same and if I could just cap that 4th wire?

If not, please let me know if any of you have been able to find this connector outside of scrapyards or the wtb forum.

Thanks!

 

[mlarson]

Sorry, just to clarify this is on a '99 2.5L Cougar.

 

[mlarson]

Anybody have any insights on this part or a lead to finding the correct connector I'm needing? I can't find the new cougs in my local scrapyards.

Thanks.

 

[fordV6cougar]

I had the same problem in this thread:
[SOLVED] HVAC Climate control panel not works

Hope this can help someone:

I found the problem doing a wiggle test to the cables under the dashboard.

The problem was a cable connector in the Fuse box under the steering wheel.

The connector have the reference C371 in the Ford TIS wiring diagram.

In the following pictures you can see a pin open and the connector melted.

This have cuased poor electrical contact and finally the pin open and no power to the HVAC Climate control panel.

As I have read in other forums, this is common fault in the Cougar and the Contour (Mondeo), and most cars have this connector melted.
You can read about this same problem in this Contour forum:
https://www.contour.org/forums/thre...use-box-melting-from-the-heater-blower.53810/


Luckly this connector is still available new.

I bought a new connector, replaced and the Climate control works again.

I also have added grease for electrical contacts to the pins (Liqui Moly 3140).
Battery Clamp Grease

You can find the connector searching the following words in eBay or Aliexpress:
"Heater Blower Fan Resistor Wiring Harness Connector Ford"

Here some links to buy it:
Parlex Prs 4K002 Blower Motor Resistor Connector Ford Transit Connect 3U2Z14S411PGA WPT480 54137FG

Parlex Prs 4K002 4 Pin Connector | One Car Part

Resistencia Ventilador Calentador cableado arnés ajusta Ford Focus Transit Conectar rthr 2 wirfo | eBay

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005001779884938.html

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/32914832426.html

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005001779925847.html

This are the part numbers of the connector I have found:
MOTORCRAFT: WPT-480
STANDARD MOTOR: S-719
FORD OE: 977632
ACDELCO: 88860548 / PT1993
ACDELCO PROFESSIONAL: PT1993
ACDELCO PROFESSIONAL CANADA: PT1993
AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE DIVISION: 1P1403 / 1P1408
AIRTEX ENG. MGMT. SYSTEMS: 1P1247 / 1P1403
AUTOZONE/AEM: 1P1247
AUTOZONE/DURALAST-WELLS: 615 / 771
AUTOZONE/MOTORCRAFT: WPT-480 / WPT480
CARQUEST: 57-4694 / 57-5182 / 57-5187 / 574694 / 575182 / 575187
CARQUEST/STANDARD MOTOR PRODS.: 574694 / S719
CARQUEST/WELLS: 575182
DORMAN: 973-303 / 973303
DORMAN - TECHOICE: 973-303 / 973303
KEMPARTS: 350363
NAPA: EC158
NAPA/ECHLIN PARTS-ECH: EC158
NIEHOFF: PS37501
WELLS: 57-4694 / 574694 / 771 / 776

Best regards.