The D2 Forums

Denizens of other fora will know my habit of describing in minute detail my F125 problems and investigations.
I might add some of the more interesting stuff here in due course, but here's my current question:

What's the ideal solution to fitting a replacement non-OEM F125 (from China) where you find that the cable is shorter than the OEM version?

For some reason I'm reminded of the old song: Regrets, I've had a few,.......... I did what I had to do, .......... I did it my way! (Frank Sinatra)

I opened up the old F125 and found this inside: That fourth contact is in fact Track#3 which is essential to determining D vs S (and R or N).
No obvious damage or discolouration on the track though; I'll get my magnifying glass out!

And these look better after a careful clean:

HPsauce wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 10:21 am What's the ideal solution to fitting a replacement non-OEM F125 (from China) where you find that the cable is shorter than the OEM version?

The replacements are for the 5HP19, which is smaller, so the cable is shorter than the one for the 5HP24. I presume the chinese sellers just made up the compatibility chart without bothering to test it, as is tradition.

Pretty much the only option is to cut and splice the wires. Either chop a chunk off the original broken switch and graft it in, so you only have one joint, or if you want to preserve the original you'll have to cut the chinesium one in the middle and splice in a short section of suitable wire, ending up with two joints. Take your pick, neither is optimal.

Somehow the mechanic in my local garage found a way to reroute and join it without any splicing!
He did take off the cable support bracket and retaining bolt, which I now have.

The second Chinesium one I have is 90mm shorter (than OEM) but Sean (in the "other" forum) says his is only about 50/60mm shorter and he had no problems fitting one a while back.

MikkiJayne wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 6:25 pm Pretty much the only option is to cut and splice the wires.

Or get one of these for not much more than a fiver (plus VAT)? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004719243387.html Looks to be only about 6" long and might need a protective sleeve of some sort.
(I've ordered one to see what they're like)

Good find. That will probably do the job.

HPsauce wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 6:32 pm Somehow the mechanic in my local garage found a way to reroute and join it without any splicing!
He did take off the cable support bracket and retaining bolt, which I now have.

The second Chinesium one I have is 90mm short but Sean (in the "other" forum) says his is only about 50/60mm short and he had no problems fitting one a while back.

Sean has a 3.7 with a 5HP19 so its surprising its even too short for that

Sorry, I think I wasn't clear in my wording, Sean had no (cable length) problems fitting a Chinesium F125. As you say he has a 5HP19 so shouldn't.
He did notice that the lead was shorter than the OEM one but it wasn't an issue.
Maybe we're not exactly measuring the same way, Sean thought the length difference was less than I did, or maybe Chinesium expands and contracts over time?

Bolted the OEM unit back together using (because I had some) M4*16mm button head bolts.
Fitted together fine and I "think" you'd probably just get away with 14mm. Ignore the rubber band on the sleeve by the 10-pin plug, that's now properly cable-tied.

This is very cool.
Really nice and clear pictures too, not easy to do.