C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

[Richard H.]

Realized I need to switch the location of certain wires on my light switch (1958). But the wires do not just pull out. They are locked-in. I understand that there is an internal "tab" that must be depressed to release the wire. But I'm not sure where it is located, what kind of tool to use in that tight space, and procedure to follow to get the wire released. Can anyone provide guidance or a picture in this regard? Thanks.

[John F.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

All light switch wires should just pull off. You could unscrew the bezel off the front and pull the lever out by pressing the release button on top of the switch. The whole switch will then fall behind the dash. Always disconnect the battery when working with wiring under the dash.

[Thomas H.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

Realized I need to switch the location of certain wires on my light switch (1958). But the wires do not just pull out. They are locked-in. I understand that there is an internal "tab" that must be depressed to release the wire. But I'm not sure where it is located, what kind of tool to use in that tight space, and procedure to follow to get the wire released. Can anyone provide guidance or a picture in this regard? Thanks.

Richard,

There is actually a tool made to get inside the connector and press the locking tab down. Most people do not have one so you can try using a small jewelers screwdriver or take a paperclip and flatten one end with a hammer or in a vise. Insert it in the small groove directly above the terminal you want to release. You may have to wiggle the tool a bit to get the tab depressed, but once it is, the terminal should slide right out. One tip is not to pull on the wire while you are trying to depress the tab, rather push it in a bit. This will release any pressure on the tab making it easier to depress. Once you depress the tab you can pull the wire out. Gently bend the tab back up prior to re-inserting the terminal.
Tom

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[Richard H.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

When I replaced the previous light switch the wires did just pull out. These will not. I apply considerable pull but they will not budge. I even put a small pliers on the metal section but sill no movement. I'm concerned about damaging the wire. Another issue, the knob will not disengage even though the release button is pulled. It depresses when the knob is fully engaged, but when pulled out the knob does not maintain its released position. It pushes out. After loosening the lock nut, I am able to remove the plastic unit receiving the wires from the body to work on them, but those wires do not seem to want to disengage. Very frustrating.

[Richard H.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

Thanks for the pictures and suggestions. I thought the tab was on the housing but your picture shows it clearly on the wire. Back to under the dash to try again.

[Thomas H.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

I just happen to be working on my headlight switch also and wanted to confirm what I had posted earlier about the tab, so I got my jewelers screwdriver out and pulled the blue wire out. As you can see, there is a tab on it that serves to lock the terminal into the connector.

As for that pesky knob, I had a heck of a time getting it out of my switch the first time I tried. Lots of pulling, pushing, cursing, etc..... I believe what I ended up doing was pulling the knob all the way out, then without touching the knob, pushing the release button down, then wiggling the knob gently in, out, side to side and after many tries, it came out. Since then I have been able to remove it easily every time. Try to push the shaft towards the release button to try and get the shaft into the circular part of the latch. I've attached some pictures so you can see what is going on if you have never seen the guts before.


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[Richard H.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

Tom,

I did manage to get the knob/shaft released. But I have a question. On my plastic wiring component (from Lectric Limited), which is plugged into the headlight switch, the wiring is as follows: The white wire is on the front right clip (passenger) and the gray wire is on the front left clip (driver). Using the Color Coded diagram from John Anastasio, the opposite should be true. Next, the orange wire is on the left and the blue wire is on the right. Again, the opposite is indicated on the chart. Next, the violet wire is to right and the black wire to the left. Again, opposite of the chart. Finally, the red wire is at the back clip, where it belongs. This is why I thought the wires had to be switched. But it seems strange to me that Lectric Limited would get it wrong, rather than my error. Would you be able to confirm the proper wiring location sequence? Also, if the wires do have to be removed and relocated, is the tool inserted at the top where the wire is first inserted, or at the bottom, which I believe reveals the bottom of the terminal. Thanks.

Rich

[Richard H.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

This process started when I was trying to diagnose a headlight issue: Low beam...left only and no right, High Beam...both right on but no left (low and high) and no interior light when door open. Thought the connections through the light switch might be the source of the problem. All bulbs have been replaced with new ones.

[Bill M.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

This picture is from Doc Rebuild's wiring diagram for a '59.

[Richard H.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

Looks like mine matches and is correct.

[Bill M.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

This process started when I was trying to diagnose a headlight issue: Low beam...left only and no right, High Beam...both right on but no left (low and high) and no interior light when door open.

Rich:

When I had a light problem on the '59 I found it was a ground problem. I had to add ground wires to resolve the problem. Hope that helps. Good luck.

Bill

[Francis F.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

richard,good info and pic's.can you tell me where this type of slite on connector can be purchased.I had a problem...and had to remove one,I have a supply of the generic type .250 quick slides,but as you prob know the one in your pic (with that added tang) is very necessary for our cars wiring connections. Thanks Francis

[Thomas H.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

Rich,

I agree with Bill, sounds like a ground problem. If you have an ohm meter or DVM (digital volt meter), pull the problem headlights out and check for continuity between the black wire in the headlight connector to a bare metal surface on the engine block. For a comparison, check the side that works also.

You could also pull the headlights, turn the headlight switch on and measure the voltage from the headlight connector to the engine block. This will verify that the voltage is getting to the bulbs. If it is, then you need to make sure the ground is good at the headlight.

Tom

[Richard H.]

Re: C1 Releasing Electrical Tab Connector in Light Switch

Francis,
My wiring and components were all part of the system that was purchased from Lectric Limited. If you need a part, check with them, they might be able to help.

Rich