Changing the F125 - can it be easier?

[HPsauce]

Interesting Sean, I just checked my spare (it arrived today) and it's 90mm (3.5") shorter. It looks identical to the one they fitted.
The mechanic actually removed the support bracket and bolt (I have them now) and I think cable tied a shorter route.
(As I bought it on Amazon I've lobbed a complaint in, with photo evidence)

Also cleaned up the contacts:

Just need to get some suitable bolts to fix it back together and I'll have a genuine spare.

[HPsauce]

You can buy a 10-wire VAG extension cable on AliExpress for about a fiver delivered!
See: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004719243387.html
Might just get one as insurance against short F125 cables.

Edit: Ordered one anyway, nearer £7 with VAT added. I'll test it thoroughly.

[steamship]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

Interesting Sean, I just checked my spare (it arrived today) and it's 90mm (3.5") shorter.

Also cleaned up the contacts:

Just need to get some suitable bolts to fix it back together and I'll have a genuine spare.

When I measured them, I thought it might have been a case of 'lost in translation' when they were copying them, where someone measured to the end of the original cable, and the other person took that as meaning to the end of the connector. How they've managed to lob off another 1.5" is puzzling.

Saw that photo after I posted. I must disassemble mine sometime to see what happened, but might try and find replacement bolts first.

Originally Posted by HPsauce

You can buy a 10-wire VAG extension cable on AliExpress for about a fiver delivered!

Hmmm, where there's a gap in the market (or in the length of the cable), let's come up with a solution.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by steamship

When I measured them, I thought it might have been a case of 'lost in translation' when they were copying them, where someone measured to the end of the original cable, and the other person took that as meaning to the end of the connector.

I suspect something similar in that they measured the cable sleeve and then took that to include the connectors at both ends, i.e. from the F125 main body?
(Though according to MJ the short cables are because the Chinese only looked at the 5HP19 gearbox and the 5HP24 needs a longer cable)

Replacement bolts according to MJ are M4x20 socket button head screws, and M4 nyloc nuts, though as I've got some on hand I'm going to try some M4*16mm first which look to be just long enough - I'll report back.
It's easy enough to drill off the top end of the rivets, they're just aluminium and I did it with a hand drill for better control then pushed the rest through with an awl.

The "extension" cable is designed for use with headlights so usually sold in pairs; no idea why, but it must be a fairly common problem, maybe related to people upgrading to HID or LED?

[steamship]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

(Though according to MJ the short cables are because the Chinese only looked at the 5HP19 gearbox and the 5HP24 needs a longer cable)

Replacement bolts according to MJ are M4x20 socket button head screws, and M4 nyloc nuts, though as I've got some on hand I'm going to try some M4*16mm first which look to be just long enough - I'll report back.

The "extension" cable is designed for use with headlights so usually sold in pairs;

5HP19 - That would explain why I didn't have an issue with the length.

M4x16mm or 20mm - I await your response, and will give me something to do when it's raining outside.

Cable - A very handy 'other' use for it then, using it with the F125 switch.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

As I bought it on Amazon I've lobbed a complaint in, with photo evidence

They've offered me 20% discount which I've accepted. That will cover buying the extension cable.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by steamship

M4x16mm or 20mm - I await your response, and will give me something to do when it's raining outside.

16mm work fine as you can see in the photo.
You might even just get away with 14mm (next length down) though maybe with some very slight trimming of the plastic?
(PS The tatty rubber band on the sleeve next to the 10-pin plug is now a proper cable-tie!)
Bit of a PITA holding the nuts while tightening the bolts with an Allen key though, but that's irrespective of length.
You can only get a socket on one and I don't have a 6mm spanner anyway (and the two by the cable are very difficult) so lots of messing with small pliers!

[steamship]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

16mm work fine as you can see in the photo.
You might even just get away with 14mm (next length down) though maybe with some very slight trimming of the plastic?

16mm looks ideal. Will order some up and pull apart the old switch whilst I'm waiting for them.

EDIT: One of less expensive purchases for the car. £6.16 for 10 of each.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

You can buy a 10-wire VAG extension cable on AliExpress for about a fiver delivered!

I should have done my research properly. DO NOT GET ONE! It doesn't fit.
I had no idea there were (at least) two different sizes of 10-pin VAG connector.
This cable seems to use the larger 1J0 973 735 and 835 but I think we need 1J0 973 715 and 815.

The smaller ones seem to be difficult to acquire, you might need to make up a cable yourself if you really want one.
See: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000377592065.html

A picture paints a thousand words:

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

The smaller ones seem to be difficult to acquire, you might need to make up a cable yourself if you really want one.

Luckily I found these prewired connectors on AliExpress for less than £8 delivered for a M/F pair.
They go well with the £20 Chinese F125: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004707562199.html



Just need to join the pair correctly to make a handy F125 extension lead.