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Terminal Disconnect Tools

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Techniker

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All,

I am looking for terminal disconnect tools- I swear I spend more time trying to actually disconnect a terminal than anything else and I invariably manage to end up breaking a locking tab in the process.

I have seen this as a suggestion: Lisle 13120 Electrical Connector Separator

The other tools others have suggested in previous posts are really more for disconnecting the harness itself from the connectors for replacement. Are there any others?

Thanks,
Techniker
 
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Heavy Metal Doctor

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Danglerb

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Techniker said:
All,

I am looking for terminal disconnect tools- I swear I spend more time trying to actually disconnect a terminal than anything else and I invariably manage to end up breaking a locking tab in the process.

I have seen this as a suggestion: Lisle 13120 Electrical Connector Separator

The other tools others have suggested in previous posts are really more for disconnecting the harness itself from the connectors for replacement. Are there any others?

Thanks,
Techniker
Click to expand...

Get both of the Lisle stars, one is green I think and one purple maybe, anyway, get both of them. If you run into a lot of a specific type, then maybe the screwdriver handle version like Snapon.
 
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Stick

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Next time you're at the dentist, ask him for a couple of old dental picks and use those. I've got the Snap-On kit linked above, and it does work... somewhat, but no better than the rest of them. The best bet is to use the manufacturer release tool for the specific terminal, which isn't quite as easy as it sounds. GM has a terminal repair kit that runs ~$6k or so, which has all the needed terminals/crimpers/release tools/probes/etc. needed for servicing the connectors used on their products. That's a bit overkill for your needs, so I'd suggest trying to get your hands on the book that comes with the kit, which is used for identifying the manufacturer of the connector and the proper tools to use for it. They pop up on eBay from time to time (like this one by itself, or like this one with the tools), so keep your eyes open.

Don't sweat the fact that it's GM and you might be working on other brands, the terminals are somewhat standard and GM has used Delpi, Lear, Sumitomo, and Yazaki terminals, among others.

If you're just interested in trying to track down the tools, search for "J-38125" and see what you come up with.
 
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Stick

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Oh, and unless you're replacing just a single terminal in a big connector (like an ECM or main engine harness), I much prefer to just replace the complete pigtail. I've posted links before for the Ford, GM, and Chrysler guides.
 
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T

Techniker

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Well, I am not necessarily looking to replace the connectors/separate the terminals from their wiring. I am actually just looking for tools that separate two connectors from each other.
 
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shampoop

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Techniker said:
Well, I am not necessarily looking to replace the connectors/separate the terminals from their wiring. I am actually just looking for tools that separate two connectors from each other.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, that lisle tool you linked works well for when you're in a situation where you don't have room to grab and pull the 2 ends of the connector very well.

What i've found works the best is to squeeze the connector together as hard as you can, then to push down on the button as hard as you can, then pull them apart. Sometimes the button flexes so much that it doesn't move the locking portion far enough to unlock, in which case you have to figure out how to deal with that. Also, if they're corroded, some penetrating lube works well to break down the corrosion causing them to stick together. Put a little dielectric grease in there before you reconnect it to make sure the next time around it's much easier. :thumbup:
 
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Seanbev24

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For connectors with the push down locking tabs, I usually use a small pair of channellocks to press the tab and hold that side of the connector in place, while I use my free hand to pull on the other side of the connector.

I also use my flat head pocket screwdriver all the time. On a lot of connectors, theres a little gap where they come together. I use 1 hand to push the tab, then stick the pocket screwdriver in the gap and lightly twist. Once it pops apart just a little bit, the rest is easy.

I have that Lisle tool, but it's only good for weatherpack connectors where the tab gets pulled up instead of pushed down, which I rarely have trouble releasing with 1 finger anyway.
 
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defy

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Wellington, New Zealand
I work at a auto electricians in new zealand, everyone in my shop is after a kit that will do all the different connectors we use and come across, have yet to find out. Seems to be one of those elusive tools.
 
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Stick

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Techniker said:
Well, I am not necessarily looking to replace the connectors/separate the terminals from their wiring. I am actually just looking for tools that separate two connectors from each other.
Click to expand...

Ah, in that case the tools that I use the most is a small flat bladed pocket screwdriver and this pick set from Matco. It took a bit of practice, but I can usually separate connectors with either of those.
 
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T

Techniker

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defy said:
I work at a auto electricians in new zealand, everyone in my shop is after a kit that will do all the different connectors we use and come across, have yet to find out. Seems to be one of those elusive tools.
Click to expand...

Yeah, if only I could get some kind of ray gun that would separate the connectors for me, that would be great.
 
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4x4gearhead

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Ive been wanting that set for awhile, at some point I will pull the trigger, Ive been working down the snap on debt so it may be some time.
 
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JASTECH

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I have always used 1 or 2 pocket skiggle drivers. I recall cold weather & trying to un-clip them w/thumbs then slipping shoving the tab under thumbnail, ouch!
 
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T

Techniker

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JASTECH said:
I have always used 1 or 2 pocket skiggle drivers. I recall cold weather & trying to un-clip them w/thumbs then slipping shoving the tab under thumbnail, ouch!
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with that term- what is that?

Most of the time I end up just using a pocket flathead screwdriver to disconnect the connectors. Either they come apart easily or I end up breaking the tab (fairly often with me)- it comes apart either way! My poor customers... :lol_hitti
 
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T

Techniker

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lennoxlennox said:
these two sets from matco seem to cover all the possibilities (and your wallet)

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MASTERM23/23-PIECE-MASTER-TERMINAL-TOOL-KIT/

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/TTK031/12-PIECE-TERMINAL-TOOL-KIT/
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links!

So, I have an embarrassing question here (I hate to show my ignorance): these tools are used for removing wires from their connectors, right?

You don't want to know how I normally replace bad connectors.

Thanks,
Techniker
 
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four.cycle

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He said "I can't find my terminal tool."
I tried to describe to him the Merry Terminal Connector Pliers that some have raved about in the "Tools of Japan" and more than one other thread, and he said no, what he was looking for was a "round thing that had several tabs sticking out of it" and he showed me some models on his computer that looked similar to this 56500 Lisle terminal tool.
View attachment 2106564
Lisle 56500 Terminal Tool

Apparently there are other variations of this on the market, as well as other devices marketed for this purpose, some of which appear to contain a multitude of little pieces.
Is there a middle ground here? Or is it a binary choice between this gizmo and a whole box full of widgets costing upwards of a C-note?

Suggestions?

already checked:

Electrical Terminal Removal Tool thread Aug 2020

Terminal Release Tool thread Sep 2019

Terminal Release Tool thread Jan 2019

useless thread from 2015 with dead links (no use at all - good candidate for removal.)

Terminal Release Tool thread May 2014

Terminal Release Tool thread Dec 2013
 
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