Is there a special tool or a technique for this?

[Junkyardjockey]

I am having a difficult time trying to pull the spade connectors (with the wires attached) out of the harness plugs & sockets. I have tried a paper clip, a very tiny straight edge screwdriver & just wriggling them out, but no luck. I have a new main wire harness to install in my '74 Super so that is why I'm asking. So is there a special tool for pulling these out, or a different method that I haven't tried yet? Many thanks in advance!
Ken
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in crystal white pearl
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl

[VW_Buggsy]

I use a stiff piece of hardened wire with a little bend at the end and a duct tape handle. Maybe there is an official tool but i just kinda made one. Push the wire forward into the back of the connector hard to get the little retaining tang away from the connector plastic the slip the wire over it to bend it down and it should then slide out fairly easily. It takes a little practice. It helps to have some junk ones to mess with first.


Good luck

[Al Capulco]

They do make tool for removing spade and female connectors, but by far the best thing to use on the little tang, is the stainless steel flat metal found in most wiper blades. It happens to be the right width. You cut the metal about 3 inches long with or without a slight bend at the end. As for a handle, I use a old tooth bush handle and cut it down to 3 or 4 inches and drill a hole in the end and epoxy the wire into the hole. If you look closely to the plastic sockets you will see a slot to insert the tool. The yellow connectors you have to go end on the wire side. What you want to do is slide the tool over the tang and then pull the wire.

[Bob Brugge]

If you are talking about the connectors on the fuse panel, I use some small needle nose pliers to grab the terminal and wiggle it loose. If you are talking about the crappy plastic barrel connectors found on every POS Detroit put out since forever, you have to push the two ends together tightly and the use a small screw driver or some such to depress the tang, and voila, off it comes. It can be a huge PITA, but if you are replacing the wiring harness I don't understand your extreme caution. Rip that old shit out, bend, break, wiggle, cut and be done wif it.
_________________
Keep on Dubbin'!

[60ragtop]

a small ground down screw driver works wonders but there is probably a special tool out there somewhere.
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[williamM]

The special tool had a grey handle that acted like a slap hammer in miniature and drove a small metal flat stock into the connector from the front.

anybody remember what that was called? any way after I let it be borrowed- I used a jewlers/eyeglass screw driver- sometimes rotating side to side- (like a knife in the mother in laws back ) but I digress- the screwdriver was good for resetting the tang for the next installation.
_________________
some days I get up and just sit and think. Some days I just sit.

opinion untempered by fact is ignorance.

Don't step in any!

[60ragtop]

IIRC one came in the BOSCH fuel injection repair kit
Grey handle stirs up memories
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[williamM]

[Junkyardjockey]

I found this tool & my local auto parts store can get it; hopefully it will work on the older VW's we all have:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lisle-56500-Terminal-Tool-...1970863763
Called a terminal release tool; any of you tried this one?
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in crystal white pearl
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl

[Junkyardjockey]

And if I do end up damaging the male/female spade connectors (both the real small ones & normal sized) can I get replacements? It looks like pulling the ones from where the relays are in my '74 Super are going to be the toughest ones to pull. Thanks so much for all of your help so far!
Ken
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in crystal white pearl
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl

[williamM]

[RealThing74]

Here is the tool I use to get connectors out of harness plugs & sockets.. I have had it for years and do not remember where I got it.
It is about 2 inches tip to tip.

_________________
Mike
81 Vanagon Westy
74 Thing Currently under a pan off restoration
73 Standard Beetle that we tow behind our Motorhome & use for sightseeing.
Click to view image

[Meiang]

There is a better version of the Lisle tool.

It has 2 tools with more end pieces for removing electrical treminals.