Can't separate electrical connections in the fuse box

[jfl605y]

I hate to ask this, but I'm really struggling and don't want to damage too much.
I'm doing an FPT upgrade on a Classic 1993 900 SE, and am removing the wiring loom under the bonnet.
I've removed the fuse box and am trying to disconnect the three electrical connectors which join to the inside of the car, and they're proving to be impossible without getting really violent and destroying them in the process.
Is there some clever way of releasing them or is it just brute force?

[anjum]

You can just cut the wires in the fusebox and splice new ones to go into the inside of the car. Only two or three wires, not a biggie. Use standard crimps inside.

Or are you trying to remove and installl the entire engine loom??

I just used the loom from the APC ECU including the knock sensor cables (don't cut that) then followed the instructions on www.900aero.com

It's a bit fiddly threading some more wires through but doable.

[Jim Mesthene]

Originally Posted by jfl605y

I've removed the fuse box and am trying to disconnect the three electrical connectors which join to the inside of the car, and they're proving to be impossible without getting really violent and destroying them in the process.
Is there some clever way of releasing them or is it just brute force?

Yes, there is a way and it doesn't even require cleverness. Do not use force.
There are small plastic tabs holding the connector into the bulkhead. If you can't see them, look harder. It all snaps apart or together with little plastic retaining tabs; find them.

[jfl605y]

It's the plastic tabs that are the problem. I can release the tabs on top, but I assume there are some underneath which I can't get to.
I might give anjum's suggestion a go and just use the wiring to the APC as I am trying to replace the whole harness, which might not be necessary.

[anjum]

That's the conlclusion I came to even when I had a complete loom ready for fitting. The rest of the loom itself is still being used for donor parts and wires!
As I said don't cut the knock sensor cable as it's shielded.

[dmgb5]

Originally Posted by jfl605y

It's the plastic tabs that are the problem. I can release the tabs on top, but I assume there are some underneath which I can't get to.
I might give anjum's suggestion a go and just use the wiring to the APC as I am trying to replace the whole harness, which might not be necessary.

If you look under the knee bolster on the LH footwell you will see the connectors from the fusebox that go into the cabin...you need to remove these connectors to see the tabs the hold the connectors into the fusebox. Alternatively if you disconnect the interior connectors and unbolt the fusebox (this is done from the interior) you can then have better access to the fusebox altogether.

[jfl605y]

Thanks a lot dmgb5. I finally worked out that I needed to slide some locking mechanism on the internal connectors before pulling them apart.