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I'm trying to strip down the harness that goes between the battery and starter, but I'm having issues getting the orange plastic pieces out of connectors X-11 and X-12. Does anyone have any pointers or can you explain how they're retained? I've pried on a couple different places I thought would let them loose but no luck so far.
I have dental picks, and also depinning tools for connectors. I was able to get the tools into different places inside the connectors. The problem is I don't know where the locking clips are for the orange plastic so I can remove it to get to the locking clips for each terminal.
Remember to always remove the (often bright colored) locking cover to hold pins in place. It should pop off. Then insert tool to unclip the internal pin locking tabs which are on the outside of the pins' female insertion walls.
Here's some other Sumitomo pins for visual reference...
I have dental picks, and also depinning tools for connectors. I was able to get the tools into different places inside the connectors. The problem is I don't know where the locking clips are for the orange plastic so I can remove it to get to the locking clips for each terminal.
Those look like Yakazi connectors, and you're on the right track to remove those orange retainer covers first. Whenever I've been perplexed trying to find the locking tabs to remove a retainer or terminal, I've found that a very bright flashlight shined into the connector from the rear, front and various other lighting angles will help me figure it out. Get the light/shadow to hit it just the right way, and the retention mechanism usually becomes obvious - then go to town with your picks and get that sucker apart.
Remember to always remove the (often bright colored) locking cover to hold pins in place. It should pop off. Then insert tool to unclip the internal pin locking tabs which are on the outside of the pins' female insertion walls.
Here's some other Sumitomo pins for visual reference...
I already have the tools to get it apart, I can't locate the clip that I need to disengage to get the orange piece out.
I'm more of a Corsa-Technic man myself, but I have been on Ballenger a few times. I appreciate the support from these companies for sure. I've found myself building simple little harnesses just so I can buy more connectors lol.
Originally Posted by Pete_89T2
Those look like Yakazi connectors, and you're on the right track to remove those orange retainer covers first. Whenever I've been perplexed trying to find the locking tabs to remove a retainer or terminal, I've found that a very bright flashlight shined into the connector from the rear, front and various other lighting angles will help me figure it out. Get the light/shadow to hit it just the right way, and the retention mechanism usually becomes obvious - then go to town with your picks and get that sucker apart.
You might be the first person that's actually read what I've written lol. I guess I should state that I've been depinning connectors for several years now. I know what I'm supposed to do. I just need info from someone that has actually done these specific connectors before.
Man I've had a bright light and magnifying glass all over this thing haha. The problem with these is there aren't many crevices to get light through, the back is completely sealed up, as are the sides and bottom. The top is the only place that has a little bit of an opening due to the clip release but the light doesn't help much. I've tried pushing on it from behind through the top too but it's holding on pretty well.
Last edited by speedjunkie; Mar 24, 2022 at 01:47 PM.
Most likely the orange insert needs to come straight out (away from the wires). It might have clips, but you can often use a small flathead screwdriver to pry it straight out without breaking the clips. That insert piece might be called a Terminal Position Assurance lock, or a Front Lock.
Unfortunately, connectors this old will probably be brittle. Be careful, and try not to do this sort of work when the plastic is very cold. I don't know enough to say whether these are Yazaki or some other brand, but since it's an older car you might not find those connectors in recent catalogs or datasheets. Both of those would be described as 'Female Housings', and the metal pins would be called 'Female Contacts'. It can take a lot of time to find connector info, good luck.
Last edited by scotty305; Mar 24, 2022 at 07:34 PM.
I didn't know Molex made any connectors other than the basic white ones. Interesting. I'd much rather have a locking system like that one than whatever this has. I don't think it has this but I'll look it over again. There doesn't seem to be anything to depress or move to allow other movement. Seems like it's a basic design. Probably does need to come straight out, I'll have to see if I can pry on top and bottom or both sides at the same time, maybe the way I'm doing it is causing it to come out at too much of an angle. It's definitely locked in though because I'm putting quite a bit of pressure on it. The one on the larger connector is already broken in a couple places, but nothing major. I almost thought about breaking it on purpose if I can't get it out soon, but I've only found the larger connector in one place and who knows if they actually have it in stock. None of the usual companies I look to have it (Corsa Technic, Ballenger). And I haven't found the smaller connector anywhere.
