Help Removing Wire Terminal Covers

[Lurker1]

Hi All,

Can someone tell me how to remove the wire terminal covers in the attached pic WITHOUT DAMAGING the wires or heating element? I'm good with the turn signal harness, but unsure how those two heating element terminals are removed.

This is the passenger side Velvac mirror on my 2007 Itasca Horizon. I'm replacing the plastic housing holding the glass... the old one's clips became brittle with age and broke.

Thanks
Chris">

[2_many_2]

Alphamonk wrote:
If they refuse to come loose, snip the wires and reinstall them with crimp connectors.

X2

[crasster]

Alphamonk wrote:
If they refuse to come loose, snip the wires and reinstall them with crimp connectors.

I like how you think. I never spare a connector unless it is absolutely mandatory to do so. Snipping wires and new connectors is fine by me. 🙂

[RoyB]

I take it you are wanting to keep the original heating element and wiring. You are just replacing the plastic trim around the glass??? You then busted one of the spade lug connectors trying to remove the assembly to replace the trim pieces... Your entry was sort of vague there...

Having a busted spade lug connector now you have to replace that right?

Roy Ken

[krivanj]

I sprayed them with an electrical lube and then put a jeweler's screwdriver between them and the flat lug, from the bottom. I grabbed the base of the lug with a long nose pliers (flat vertical) to hold it steady. They popped off and did not hurt the circuit board. Mine were really corroded on.

[Alphamonk]

If they refuse to come loose, snip the wires and reinstall them with crimp connectors.

[Dutch_12078]

To avoid possibly damaging the heating element, press a screwdriver against the base of the tab while pulling off the connector.

[Hikerdogs]

First the wires have to be removed from the connectors on the circuit board. Then you need to slip a tool like this one in between the insulator and the connector:

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-56500-Terminal-Tool/dp/B0009OR906

In the case of a normal female spade connector enter the connector from the open end with the appropriate flat blade between the solid side of the connector and the insulator. There's a tang on the back (solid) side that faces toward the wire.

If it has round connectors in the plug slip the appropriate size round blade over the metal connector. Then slide the insulator off the wire.

Here's a link to a picture of a round connector. Note the rear facing barbs. These are the ones the tool slips over and collapses so the insulator can be removed:

http://www.delcity.net/store/Weather-Pack-Terminals/p_797654.h_797655.t_1.r_IF1003?mkwid=sRazW8Uie&c...

Here's a link to a catalog page with pictures of various style connectors. Note each style has some sort of rear facing tang that must be collapsed to remove it from the insulator:

http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/auveco_catalog155.pdf

There are a number of individual tools that can be used, but the one in the first link covers the entire range of connectors.

[RoyB]

Those look like standard spade lugs as part of the heating coil in the printed circuit card.

Should pull right off with alittle pressure applied...

I wouldn't do alot of side ways pulling pressure as these lugs are just soldered in place to the circuit board...

Hopefully when you pull off the lug connections you will have enough wire length to cut off the connector and crimp on a new one... You should b able to find replacement spade connectors from any local auto parts store... Take the heating element with you to get the correct size connector...

If your assembly has the wiring to a removable plug then take the whole assembly to the local auto parts store and they can fix your cable and new connector plug for you at the store.



Sample board here shows what the spade lug looks like...


Roy Ken