strange electrical problems

["D. Dardalis" <dardal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

... related to my troublesome lately 68 LeBaron.

I had complained about this a few months back.  When the car is idling, 
some times the power to the dash disconnects killing ignition, gauges, 
radio, etc.  I had traced the problem to the connectors to the firewall 
from the wiring harness.  When the wires and connectors are shaked, power 
returns.  I had sprayed some electronic contact cleaner, which appeared to 
have cured the problem, but last week's continuous rains brought humidity 
which then made the problem reappear.  Fortunately, when the alternator 
voltage is high during cruising, this does not happen.  But its a situation 
that could be a bit risky at times and needs to get fixed.

Anyway, I think I traced the problem to the second connector where I think 
the power is coming to (I will borrow a multi meter this evening and trace 
it beyond doubt).  The problem is not in the plug itself, the connector 
blades are reasonably clean (I cleaned the males with sand paper, plus the 
connector spray cleaner will reach real easy).  The problem is probably 
between the wiring harness wire and the plug.  I was thinking of using a 
heated exacto knife, cutting of part of the plastic on the plug and try to 
solder the wire to the plug.  This is not too easy though, because the 
plastic connector is quite substantial.  Another option would be to ask one 
of our vendors to send me this plug from a parts car with a few inches of 
wire left, and then I can cut off the old one and solder the new one.  But 
this is a bit extreme.  Any suggestions from our electrical engineers out 
there?
D^2