M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
FAQ / REFERENCE => How-To's => Topic started by: keflaman on February 20, 2012, 09:50:49 AM
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I plan to install cruise control and heated seats in my car as well as replace several plugs and receptacles that have given up the fight against time, age and the elements. Over the years I've used dental picks, jewelers screwdrivers, and et al in attempts to cleanly dissect the connectors without damaging the pins/sockets or plug housing themselves. Sometimes I was successful and sometimes I just gave up. Being an aircraft mechanic, I know what tools are used for the task and unfortunately, I also know how expensive they are! :eek:
Looking ahead to the sheer number of connectors I expected to replace or rebuild I accepted the fact that it was time to bite the bullet and invest in the proper tool(s) for the job. Shortly after that epiphany I was rummaging through my "20 year box" and stumbled upon an antenna from an old shop radio.
Hmmm...:cool:
If you know what these are you are probably > 50 years old, remember watching "Lassie", "Walt Disney" and "Bonanza" on Sunday nights in black and white and grew up with only two local TV channels:p
(http://m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1166)
Using a small pipe cutter, cut the antenna down.
(http://m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1157)
After deburring the inside lip I used an awl to widen the "mouth" into a slight bell shape...
(http://m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1158)
Here is an end view of our tool and the sockets we will be removing from their plug housing...
(http://m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1167)
Insert something thin in between the plug housing and middle "watchamacallit"...
(http://m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1168)
(http://m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1160)
(http://m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1161)
(http://m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1165)
An example of connectors; Pins on top, sockets on bottom. Red arrows point to the tangs used to lock them into the housings. Our tool depresses them allowing for removal.
(http://m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1164)
When reassembling the connector pay attention to the correct location of the wires in relation to the middle insert and plug housing. The plastics will usually go together only one way, but if you mix up the wires...
(http://m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1163)
That's the down and dirty version. Hope I've explained this clear enough to be of use to someone.:)
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That's a great tutorial. Nice job and thanks for posting!
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stickie vote :D
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That is a nice tool...stickiness approved!
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Wow, thanks guys!