Chrysler Repair: Electrical connector servicing, low beams, proper tool


Question
I have a 2000 Dakota with no low beams. I have diagnosed it to the electrical connector in the steering column. The low beam wire has pulled out of its connector. How can I remove the female connector from the molded plug and solder the wire in the connector? I have terminal removing tool but I can't figure out how to use it.

Answer
Hi Ryk,
The '02 minivan manuals shows there to be 6 different kinds of femals connector plugs and a 5 different kinds of tools to use (one tool covers two kinds of connectors). So you need to have the tool that is appropriate for the connector you are working with. They all (but one) share the same design idea of pushing the tool tip into the connector's  female opening and if it is the proper tool the connector will release to be withdrawn at the back side (wire side) of the plug. Only the Thomas and Betts tool is used from the wire side of the plug and it has a channel into which you insert the wire and pull the connector out from the back side. So try inserting the tool into hole and pushing on it (unless you have the T and B) to see if it causes the female connector to exit from the back side of the plug.
Roland