Pulling pins out of a connector...

[Fred Smythe]

This is a shot of the type of connector that plugs into my Oscar Controls Vortex spinner:



The problem is that the harness it's attached to (for an older Mini-PAC) has the two signal pins backwards. (When I spin it to the right, the Windows cursor goes left, etc.) For various reasons I would prefer to fix this in hardware over software, so I need to swap the blue and green wires.

Simple question: what's the best (non-destructive) way to get those wires pulled out of this sort of connector? I tried a straight pin pushing down the barb, but I don't think I got enough purchase. Is there a better tool? (Really, there has to be a better tool; the question is, what is it?) Or would I just be better off finding a couple more of those connectors (though I have no idea what size it is or what to ask for; are they standard?) and building an adapter harness?

Thanks much!

-- Chris

[Peja]

While I am sure there is a tool out there that will do it, I am also not sure what it is either.  In the past I have used small flat head screw drivers from the mini tool kit.  Worked just fine. 

How about cutting the wires and crossing them with some butt splice connectors?

Peja

[Fred Smythe]

In the past I have used small flat head screw drivers from the mini tool kit.  Worked just fine. 

Yeah, I may try that. Did you just press and pull?

How about cutting the wires and crossing them with some butt splice connectors?

I could do that too, yeah, but...ugh. The wiring inside that panel is already enough of an utter kludge...aesthetically it offends me to make it worse.

[Franco B]

It looks like a typical 0.100" pitch 4 position Molex KK type connector to me.

You should just be able to push the barb down with a small screwdriver or pin to release it.

Don't pull on the wire whist pushing down on the pin, pull on the wire just afterwards. If you look closely you should be able to see when the barb is below the level of the housing and can be released.

If you do push the barb too far through the crimp you can sometimes push it back through from the other side so you can reuse it.

[PL1]

I think it also helps to push the wire and pin in slightly before you push down gently and slide it out.


Scott

[Peja]

Yep, just like Franco  and PL1 said......I pressed the barb down and then pulled out.  Not sure if you may have to put a needle in the front of the connector to raise the bottom up a little bit, but its worth a try.

I agree with you on the clutter look.  However, Sometimes if you get too rough with it you can break those barbs off and then you're worse off then if you would have just crossed the wires.  Still give the screw driver a try though.

Good Luck,
Peja

[Fred Smythe]

Yep, just like Franco  and PL1 said......I pressed the barb down and then pulled out.  Not sure if you may have to put a needle in the front of the connector to raise the bottom up a little bit, but its worth a try.

Nope, screwdriver did the trick. I think I just wasn't giving it uniform (or enough) pressure to get the barb down properly. (And once they were out it was easy to pry them back into a usable state again before returning them to their proper homes.

So all good, and thanks again!