How to remove pins from this connector?

[billh1963]

I'm sure it's a common connector but my searches on how to remove the pins has escaped me.

While changing the belt on my Luxman CD player I knocked over my light and broke these two wires. Yes...an idiotic move. So, I'm trying to remove the pins to see if I can salvage them. I thought about just building a new harness. But, since I don't know the name of the connector I figured it might be worth popping out the pins and trying to replace the wires first.

Anyone know how to replace pull the pins?

Thank you

 

[merlynski]

If you look real closely inside the body of the connector, the insert will have a little spring tab (or two) that catches on a notch in the plastic body, that holds the contact in place. If you gently slide a thin flat blade into the connector from the right direction (look closely) you can depress the tab and slide out the insert. You may have to make a tool by flattening a paperclip tip with a hammer and/or filing it down. If it is the right width and thickness the insert will slide right out with little pressure. The inserts are crimped on the wire, then slid into the connector body during manufacturing. If you had lots of them to do the correct extraction tool would make life much easier, but for just a couple I have used a home-made one many times.
Bright light and a magnifier may make it easier.

 

[Watthour]

That's a pretty good description of what the actual tool is like. Having been saddled with all kinds of equipment, I've dealt with Amp to Amphenol, Harting to Honda, Tyco to T&B, CPC to CDM, Wago to Weidmueller, Waldom/Molex to Metz, Packard to Phoenix, and all manner of one-offs. That means plenty of rejection tools. The kind you probably need is in the lower right corner, which is LOT like a flattened and narrowed paper clip, but with a pretty handle.

 

[billh1963]

Thank you for the replies. I bought a package off Amazon that has several flat type tools. I tried them earlier today but had no luck. I'll have to study it some more to see if I can see the tabs on the pin.

Is there a name for this type connector? I assume digi-key might have these? I've been looking but haven't found the exact connector yet.

 

[Zenith4me]

I've used a tool like this before and it works great. Looks just like the bottom tool in the picture in a previous post.

http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/D-Sub_Pin/D-Sub_H.jpg

 

[gadget73]

sometimes it helps to push the terminal into the plastic further, then slide the tool in. If the terminal is trying to pull out at the same time as the tool is going in, the tab on the terminal can hang on the catch and prevent it from being lifted out of the way.

 

[billh1963]

My crappy little Amazon kit has some “barrel” type pin removers. I’ll try those tonight… and the idea of pushing the pins further in so the tabs don’t catch!

 

[gadget73]

I probably ought to get a proper set. I mess with enough automotive multi-pins, but I usually just use a pick or a T pin to lift the catch.

 

[billh1963]

I got the pins out! Now to figure out how to open the tiny tabs that hold the remnants of the old wire. I'm thinking of just soldering the wires onto the pin. Thoughts?

 

[gadget73]

if its that M shaped crimp, they aren't really intended to be opened and re-crimped. Honestly if at all possible I'd go for a replacement terminal with a proper crimp.

Failing that, solder it. If its the kind with two crimps, one for the wire and one for the insulation, you might be able to open the insulation one up a bit to slide the wire into, then solder the wire down lower.

 

[elvi]

I humbly suggest to remove all affected wires, stripping all the insulation and soldering a replacement wire and covering the splice in heat shrink. Done neatly, it will look factory.

Btw, you can source replacement terminals, but the proper crimper is spendy, and making the crimp is very technique sensitive.
Quick edit. You can also source fully populated connector and pigtail, but will ne limited to white or black wire colors.

For those, I use a simple straight pin to release the lock tab.

Best of luck

 

[billh1963]

Mission was successful!
I soldered the wires onto the pins and reinserted them. Reassembled the CD player and all is well! Thank you, everyone, for your advice.

I do need a better way to figure out how to identify what the connectors/pins are so I can replace in the future.

 

[elvi]

I harvest these types of cable assemblies from scrapped electronic and appliances.

A visit to the local thrift allows me to peruse the soon to be scrapped pile.
Screwdriver in hand and a devious gleam in my eye, the spares pile up quickly