Brake light switch connector spacing problem

[aj88cab]

I am replacing the brake master cylinder on my 88 Carrera and ran into the plug connector spacing problem. The new switch connectors are the wide spacing and my plugs are the narrow. I did a search and found that many folks just removed the plastic plug holder and connected the spades directly. Sounds like plan. So what is the trick to removing the plastic holder. Is this a job for Mr. Dremel? The connectors will wiggle in the holder a little, I just can't figure out whats holding them in there? I don't want to destroy the connectors getting them out of the holder if I can help it.
Thanks, Andrew

[aj88cab]

OK, figured it out. There's a little tab on the flat side of the spade the holds it in the plastic holder. Just needed a real small screwdrive pushed in between the spade and the holder to flatten the tab and out they came.

[aj88cab]

For future reference for anyone that runs into this issue, I thought I'd post what I ended up doing.

After I got the plugs out of the holder I decided I didn't want to leave the bare metal exposed (too easy for the smoke to escape), I didn't want to cut the original wires and install insulated plugs, and wrapping with electrical tape just didn't sit right.

So, I put the plastic holders in a vise and with a steady hand and my Dremel I sliced them in half then re-inserted the plugs. Spacing problem gone and you can barely tell it's split when installed. Please wear gloves and eye protection as small pieces of hot molten plastic may fly.

You might also notice that the brake light switches that come with the new M/C (from our host) have three prongs, but there is a blank slot on the plastic connector that the extra prong will fit into. So no real problem there either. Not sure what the extra prong is for, but it doesn't seem to be required for a Carrera.

Pressure bleed with a Motive Bleeder and everything is firm, brake lights come on without having to pounce on the brake pedal, and the cruise control dis-engages with a just brush of the pedal.

But the best part is now when I tear into Turn 10 at Road Atlanta I won't have this nagging thought about that 20yo/120k mile master cylinder letting go!

[3.2 CAB]

Some models used two prongs while others used the three prong switch.