Fuel pump electrical connector stuck

DER52

Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2019
Messages
46
Location
Cotopaxi, Colorado
The release lever tab on the electrical connector to the fuel pump on my 1998 has broken off. I slid the red lock clip into the unlocked position, but cannot get the electrical connector unplugged because of the broken release lever tab. Is there any way to get this connector unplugged now?

Here is a picture of a different electrical connector for a different vehicle, but it shows the release lever tab like was on mine:

93983
 
There isn't much you can do here except pry very carefully with a small flathead screwdriver. You'll have to lower the tank with the wire attached as much as you can (an ATV lift is perfect for this) and then monkey around with it. My guess is you can use a flathead to use down the remaining portion (whatever isn't broke) of the release lever to get the connector off.
 
There isn't much you can do here except pry very carefully with a small flathead screwdriver. You'll have to lower the tank with the wire attached as much as you can (an ATV lift is perfect for this) and then monkey around with it. My guess is you can use a flathead to use down the remaining portion (whatever isn't broke) of the release lever to get the connector off.
Thanks, Chris. There is nothing left of the tab that could be pushed down with a flathead screwdriver to make it release. I will try your suggestion of prying very carefully with a small flathead screwdriver.
 
Thanks, Chris. There is nothing left of the tab that could be pushed down with a flathead screwdriver to make it release. I will try your suggestion of prying very carefully with a small flathead screwdriver.

If that's the case, you may need to take a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel on it and carefully remove material until it comes off.

Talk about a pain in the butt!
 
That happen to mine, I just left it connected and wrapped it in electrical tape. Cut the wires about a foot farther up the harness and wired in a new connector and plug.
 
The location makes it a huge PAIN.

Plus you have to be careful when lowering the tank not just with the connector but the 3 way plastic vacuum hose gizmo, that's very easy to break like I did 1st time.

If you can, sometimes a magnifying glass, or to free up your hands, a pair of strong reading glasses temporarily helps to magnify the connector, seems they are all different 😣. U get one memorized and the next one unlaches the opposite way geez 😞
 
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I have an 06 LJ and just had this problem. If you can get your head above the tank and level with the plug you'll see that when you press the release button down, the latch doesn't lift up enough. I used a pick n hook type of tool to wedge it underneath the latch to lift it up enough and clear the notch, then it slid right off.