How does this connector come apart?
 

87 Targa - I'm replacing the speedo sender. The photo shows the connectors in the tunnel, for the wires from the sender to the speedo itself. I'm not seeing any seam in the plastic cover and am just assuming this 35 year old plastic is getting brittle, so I don't want to get too brutal with it. Any idea how these things comes apart? Thanks.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1616524817.jpg

just pull it apart;-)

Ivan

The connectors housing does not come apart, it's one piece. You pull the wire and the spade connector inside disengage and come out.

Thanks yelcab. That crossed my mind but I just didn't want to destroy the thing.

I appreciate it.

look inside the connector you might see the small tag that keeps the spade terminal in

Lorne M.

Many (most?) spade connecters have a tab that keeps the metal connector inside the plastic sleeve. You push the connecter in from the back, the tab compresses and when the connector is seated, the tab spring open again, locking it in the plastic sleeve.

To remove the connector, shove a very thin piece of metal into the mouth of the plastic connector (but outside the connector itself) to depress the tab.

You can buy a tool for this but if you have an old windshield wiper, you can pull out the spring steel metal in it and use that. You may need to to grind the side of it for smaller connectors.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1616542684.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1616542684.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1616542684.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1616542684.jpg

It appears that the male connector is integral to the plastic cover and that only the female connector gets removed. I'd reach in with needle nose to grab the connector. If it doesn't come out easily, it probably has the locking tab that Chris mentioned.

I have had the plastic disintegrate on a couple of these. I replaced them with bullet connectors with shrink tube fitted over the connector for security and short prevention.

You can get the spade connector out by using a small screwdriver to push down the tiny
clip inside that holds it in.

Use two small needle nose pliers to hold the crimped end of each connector to pull apart instead of pulling on the wire. Why take the chance of pulling the wire out of the crimp.