Any tips for disassembling the plugs (A-W) that plug in at the bottom of the CE board?

Thanks,
Mark

 

Do you mean disconnecting the plugs from their sockets? If so, you slide the locking mechanism to the side and then remove the plugs. The handle for the lock is near the center of the row.

Wally meant to say.... " after sliding the locking mechanism, carefully pull the connector from the CE panel while lifting the small locking tab above the connector."

Yeah, that's what I meant - Thanks, Borland!

 

No, I mean removing the wires and terminals from the plugs.

 

Wally meant to say.... " after sliding the locking mechanism, carefully pull the connector from the CE panel while lifting the small locking tab above the connector."

There is a Porsche procedure describing how to take them apart, but I don't have time to look it up. It's not that informative, as you will quickly figure it out. First you separate the color sides which just snap together using a putty knife or other suitable tool. The sides serve to lock the wire terminals and provide a interlock with the CE panel mating connector.

To remove the wire terminal from the plastic housing, just insert a miniture flat blade screwdriver or metal rod in the slot to release the terminal's latch. Some terminals have a latch on the opposite side, so it can be tricky to see which side the latch is on.

Look in the electrical section of the 944 PET to find replacement terminals for these connectors and relay sockets. They are some of the least expensive Porsche parts you will buy, unless you express ship them from Germany.

 

The Tech Info book for MY 85 when the new style fuse board was introduced has a very good description of how to take those connectors

On Jim Moorehouse's Tech Info CD-ROM, under "Service info by year" go to "Service info tech 85" see Page 118 onwards.

 

A pin pusher set definitely helps disassembly without destruction, too. A good set eliminates a lot of problems when working with this type of thing.



This set is from eagleday. I think I have this one, but don't remember paying $60 for it!

 

According to the Tech info I listed above, you have to seperate the two halves of the connector to then be able to release any individual pin. (each connector is a two row device)

 

That's the tip I needed.

 

Others here make this sound easy. Its a little harder than you might think.. especially if you want to reuse the terminal - destructive removal is easier but you also need to know where the locking tab is...

To remove the 3 connector body parts - do not try to pry up the end locking tabs - this is a sure way to break them... instead just slip a slim screwdriver between the mated faces near one end and twist - the locking tabs will easily dissengage slightly - stop - do the same the other end and then slide them apart.
teminals cannot be removed without disassembling these 3 parts due to mechanical interlocks.

The terminal locking pin is in the middle of the face of the terminal on the opposite side from the open crimp connector side (look at the wire end to determine this). You need to insert a thin blade from the CE panel mating end - outside the terminal (between the shell and terminal) until it bottoms out against a ridge. If this doesn't free the terminal to withdraw to the rear you may need another blade on the opposite side to center the terminal in the opening. Dual blade purpose designed removal tools work best and can withdraw terminals without damage.

Alan

 

As I previously stated, I've found some terminals can have the locking clip on the same side as the crimp.

This must be the reason why the connector housings have release slots on both sides even though the terminals for them only come with the clip on one side.

 

The terminals have options for tabs both sides - usually only the one I noted is deployed. I have taken apart many CE panels and allof them have all been this way.

However its certainly possible some could be built with the other side tab bent out or even both tabs deployed... or this could be the results of re-insertion after initial removal

In any case it makes for an even better reason for getting a dual prong terminal removal tool.

Alan