Having a 'pensioner' moment! Done this a few time now but gone blank. can't work out how to disconnect the headlight from the electrical plug. Looks like I'm going stupid. Cheers, John
Headlight electrical connector
schootsie
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Thanks Nooby, these were the things I did but with no success except to break the top of the tab like others have. Even tried to push the connector further in just to release some pressure on the locking tab but still no go. Might try a hit of silicon spray to let it slip a little. John
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Bummer, sorry it didn't help.
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Finally got it done, The tab has to have the outer most part pulled back towards the wiring rather than pushed towards the headlight unit. the screw driver in the slot and tilt the handle to the front of the car should work but be careful. When the locking tab releases there is an audible click and keeping the tab held out, the connector then slides off easily. On the broken connector of mine I have now superglued (Loctite 406) a firm strip of plastic as a tab to push on to unlatch the lock tab. John
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First the rh static turning light fried then after fixing that the lh parking light fried too which I have in my pocket now to go and get a replacement for. Now the connectors have been on and off it only takes about 2-3 minutes to remove the whole headlight assembly and the same to put back. John
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Same problem here. I ended up having to replace my RH connector as I destroyed it "learning" how to release the clip.
The short answer is a three step process:
(1) Push firmly on the plug to compress the internal sealing ring,
(2) At the same time wiggle it up and down across the long axis,
(3) whilst keeping the pressure from (1) press down on the release tab and withdraw,
Sounds simple but after you break one or two it become quite simple.
In the meantime buy a couple of spares from VW..as I did..
You will also need this tool to get the smaller terminal out. The large terminals are far more common and found in most terminal tool kits,
Laser Terminal Tool Volkswagen Audi Removal VAG Aluminium Handle VW Steel | eBay
Stuart...
The short answer is a three step process:
(1) Push firmly on the plug to compress the internal sealing ring,
(2) At the same time wiggle it up and down across the long axis,
(3) whilst keeping the pressure from (1) press down on the release tab and withdraw,
Sounds simple but after you break one or two it become quite simple.
In the meantime buy a couple of spares from VW..as I did..
You will also need this tool to get the smaller terminal out. The large terminals are far more common and found in most terminal tool kits,
Laser Terminal Tool Volkswagen Audi Removal VAG Aluminium Handle VW Steel | eBay
Stuart...
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Sorry to revive an old thread, but I couldn't find any answers. So, the previous owner already broke the driver's side headlight clip on my T2. Is there a way for me to unlatch the broken clip?
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Normally there is a little button/tab you pull back on that releases the locking clip. If the button/tab is broken, you can usually get in there with a hooked pick to lift the locking clip up over the notch.
The secret to undoing all of these connectors is to push the two halves together first, and then undo the clocking clips/tabs/buttons.
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The broken clip just makes it more difficult to release but not impossible.
Suggest you release and remove the other headlight connector (assuming it's not broken as well) and have a good look how the latch works and you will then be able to work out the best way to remove the broken one.
I was shown an easy way to remove them by inserting a mini hook (top one in attached picture) to release the lock, hard to describe but easy to see where you need to insert it to release once you look at how the connector locks into place and more importantly how it releases.
Hope this helps.
TonyB
Suggest you release and remove the other headlight connector (assuming it's not broken as well) and have a good look how the latch works and you will then be able to work out the best way to remove the broken one.
I was shown an easy way to remove them by inserting a mini hook (top one in attached picture) to release the lock, hard to describe but easy to see where you need to insert it to release once you look at how the connector locks into place and more importantly how it releases.
Hope this helps.
TonyB
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HI Matttreig88, if that all fails, try a ground down hacksaw blade, push in under the place the tab was until it reaches the small locking tab, then lever your end down (towards the wiring) which lifts the bit of broken tab off the locking tab. Just about to replace a few globes again myself and have bought a couple of connectors to replace my broken ones after I make a terminal removal tool. John
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All good seafarer28. We're all trying to be helpful 
This is the beast you need for the headlight connection since male end of the plug is right against the headlight housing. Also included and amazing MS Paint diagram of how to release the connector. (don't laugh.....)
This is the beast you need for the headlight connection since male end of the plug is right against the headlight housing. Also included and amazing MS Paint diagram of how to release the connector. (don't laugh.....)
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Thank you to all of you, your descriptions (and yes, diagrams too :grin2: ) were all a big help. Thankfully the previous owner did not break the passanger side tab so I can check that one out to be double sure on how to do it, but all of your descriptions were so clear I may not even need to.
After watching some youtube videos, I was able to get the passenger one off with relative ease with my bare hands. I just got frustrated with the driver's side because it was such a small little detail and I thought to myself, "there HAS to be a way for me to do it on my own without having to go to the dealer!" Lol
Thanks again guys! Bow Down
After watching some youtube videos, I was able to get the passenger one off with relative ease with my bare hands. I just got frustrated with the driver's side because it was such a small little detail and I thought to myself, "there HAS to be a way for me to do it on my own without having to go to the dealer!" Lol
Thanks again guys! Bow Down
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Bringing up an old thread but i figure keep it all here for future enquiries. Bound to happen again to someone else right.
So ive join the club and busted the same 1JO973737 connector on the headlight. The top tab bit that should just click out a mm.
Question that now arises is what size terminal release / removal tool is needed ?
Does anyone recall ? Appears Hedditch's link is no longer live. If i follow his lead with the "Laser" terminal tool is it the 3932 ? Which is 2.8mm internally
www.lasertools.co.uk
Even the Schwaben tools on the ECS site dont mention a size.
Dont want to buy the wrong one and equally dont want to think i have the right one and stuff it up because i used the wrong sized tool
Also quite amazed that Dr Google doesnt show me anything in Oz and that i have to get from UK or China..... What The ??
cheers
So ive join the club and busted the same 1JO973737 connector on the headlight. The top tab bit that should just click out a mm.
Question that now arises is what size terminal release / removal tool is needed ?
Does anyone recall ? Appears Hedditch's link is no longer live. If i follow his lead with the "Laser" terminal tool is it the 3932 ? Which is 2.8mm internally
Laser Tools 3932 Terminal Tool
Laser Tools 3932 A new tool specially designed to remove terminals on Volkswagen/Audi vehicles. Not generally available in any other kit, this tool is an...
Even the Schwaben tools on the ECS site dont mention a size.
Dont want to buy the wrong one and equally dont want to think i have the right one and stuff it up because i used the wrong sized tool
Also quite amazed that Dr Google doesnt show me anything in Oz and that i have to get from UK or China..... What The ??
cheers
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I think you need only two sizes to handle most (if not all) connectors.
I bought two a couple of years ago and had the right one when I had to make a repair, sorry for being so vague but memory is not one of my best traits anymore and they are so cheap just buy what you think you might use after all all they do is push things out....
TonyB
I bought two a couple of years ago and had the right one when I had to make a repair, sorry for being so vague but memory is not one of my best traits anymore and they are so cheap just buy what you think you might use after all all they do is push things out....
TonyB
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Honestly, I got so frustrated with the damn thing that I sawed of the surface of the connector that contains the latch.
The way I see it, the connection is not flying all over the place, end it holds itself in place pretty well with tension alone. Now it's simply unplugs. Like how you might unplug a cord from my wall socket (just as easy, but not TOO easy). I haven't had any problems since.
😁
The way I see it, the connection is not flying all over the place, end it holds itself in place pretty well with tension alone. Now it's simply unplugs. Like how you might unplug a cord from my wall socket (just as easy, but not TOO easy). I haven't had any problems since.
😁
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sounds like i might need to but one of those cheapo chinese 10 in a pack thingo's and test the waters.
Already had a secondary thought with getting a connector from a wrecker i can practice on before i touch the vehicle. Then use the unit from the wrecker for replacement surgery .
Already had a secondary thought with getting a connector from a wrecker i can practice on before i touch the vehicle. Then use the unit from the wrecker for replacement surgery .
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