R400D: Detaching fuel pump/sender connector

[John Vine]

Doubtless a really dumb question, but how do you detach this connector?

I've searched for a tab to press, a tab to lift or a tab to squeeze, but cannot see how to do it!

JV

[John Vine]

Panic over, chaps!  There's a little tab, practically impossible to see from above:

A gentle squeeze with a pair of grips, and hey presto!

JV

[John Vine]

And yet another question....

This is the connector:

I don't know what brand it is (it doesn't look like any Econoseal I ever seen).

I wanted to remove the yellow terminal guide to get at the terminals themselves.  I inserted a thin screwdriver into the slot:

and prised gently upwards.  There was a click, and the guide moved out about halfway.  But there it stayed.  I was reluctant to force it in case I broke something.

So, how do I remove the yellow guide completely?

JV

[Mark w]

I cannot believe you posted those pictures of the top of your pump without cleaning it first 

 

[John Vine]

You're right, Mark. Very poor show!

Actually, that photo was from some time ago, when I started to investigate the sender float.

JV

[Molecular--Bob]

I don't think the yellow lock plate comes out, you will need a specific terminal release tool if you want to de-pin it?

[Dr Slotter]

AFAIK, that connector is a proprietary Ford connector (well, made by somebody else for Ford/Motorcraft) commonly used for MAF sensors as well as fuel pumps. Its part number is WPT-1091.

[John Vine]

You could be right..  I was wondering whether this connector was like an Econoseal, where you can ping out the guide, and then remove pins with either a special tool or a jeweller's screwdriver.

JV

[Dr Slotter]

The pin receptacles inside are all part of a single 'tree' so I don't think you can take them out individually like an Econoseal.

[John Vine]

Thanks, Dr S. 

This connector query is a spin-off from my Spiyda investigations.  By way of experiment, I was intending to detach the sender earth wire, and then run a new dedicated earth wire direct to the battery -ve. This should help explain one way or the other whether the voltage drop I was seeing on the sender earth (with the engine running) was causing the gauge reading to drop.

If I can't get the pin out, I suppose I could simply cut the earth wire and re-route?  I'd want to be able to re-instate the standard set-up if necessary.

JV

[Dr Slotter]

This may be what you mean, but I think even if you bought a new connector, re-connected all but the original earth wire, connect the new earth wire, assembled the 'tree' fully (i.e. all 6 wired pins into the plastic) and fit into housing, you'd then have to repeat all of that with a 3rd connector to put back as original. I don't think you can remove the the metal receptacle 'branches' out without breaking the plastic 'tree'.

I guess you could cut the earth wire, splice in a piggyback pre-insulated connector in the appropriate direction, and then connect/reconnect whichever earth wire you wanted to use at a particular moment.

[John Vine]

I guess you could cut the earth wire, splice in a piggyback pre-insulated connector in the appropriate direction, and then connect/reconnect whichever earth wire you wanted to use at a particular moment.

Yes, but I wouldn't need to keep two earth options.  I'd either (a) adopt the new earth PLUS the Spiyda Wizard, or (b) reinstate the original earth and ignore the Spiyda altogether.  I'd like to keep the Spiyda as it also supports a "low-fuel" warning lamp, but only if the gauge resumes normal service.

JV

[Dr Slotter]

Ah, gotcha.

[Molecular--Bob]

There seem to be extension cables available for ford MAF sensors https://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/14/products_id/3444, if you could get hold of one of these I guess you could splice into this without damaging your original connector?

[John Vine]

That's a neat trick, M-B.  But even with the cheapest shipping option, it would cost around 58 bucks! 

If I can't get at the individual pins, I'll likely cut the sender earth about 5cm out and proceed from there.

JV

 

[Molecular--Bob]

May be uk available? that was just the first one I found.

[John Vine]

I couldn't find a UK source, but either way, it's an expensive alternative.  I'm going to cut the sender earth wire instead.

JV