How do you unplug the tail light connector?

[Pawpaw]

I've got some condensation in my right taillight. I removed the two screws and managed to get the tail light loose from the bed... after a serious tug-o-war.



Now I can't get the harness connector loose from the board. I moved the red tab unil it's flush with the connector on one end, but the thing won't budge.



What am I missing?



Bob

 

[JHardwick]

I moved the red tab unil it's flush with the connector on one end, but the thing won't budge.



What am I missing?



Bob

The red tab has to be removed completely, it's a keeper.

 

[Scrappy]

The red tab has to be removed completely, it's a keeper.

the red tab is a lock for another tab, you slide the red tab over and then press the other tab to unplug the connector.

 

[MMcClane]

Funny you should ask. I recently tried to unplug my under hood lamp but got frustrated and gave up. I moved the red tab but the thing would not come loose. I did not see another tab to press. Is it located underneath the red tab or what?

 

[Pawpaw]

Thanks for the replies guys. I finally got it.



After moving the red tab (but not removing it), I had to press on a black tab (which didn't LOOK like a tab) just up the connector toward the wiring harness.



I had tried pressing on it before with no luck. The trick turned out to be to press it until all of my knuckles turned white... then it slid right off.



I like that there seems to be no way for these connectors to work loose, but I couldn't even find it in the service manual!



Oh well, I got my cursing out of the way for the week.



Bob

 

[JHardwick]

Dunno, I always just pulled the red tab out completely :-laf

 

[MMcClane]

I got it. One of those things that you do one time and it is easy. Makes you feel a little dumb when you are pushing and pulling on it the first time though!

 

[Pawpaw]

Dunno, I always just pulled the red tab out completely :-laf

If I'd read your post before I figured it out, I would've done that too!

I got it. One of those things that you do one time and it is easy. Makes you feel a little dumb when you are pushing and pulling on it the first time though!

No kidding! After I figured it out, I came back in with every intention of deleting my first post, but discovered that at least you two had already found me out.



Oh well, if it helped you out, I guess it was worth it. :-laf



Food for thought... How much extra would it have cost to emboss a little arrow to show that you need to slide the red tab, and the word "Press" on the black tab?



Bob

 

[Scrappy]

Food for thought... How much extra would it have cost to emboss a little arrow to show that you need to slide the red tab, and the word "Press" on the black tab?



Bob

Just a little more than DC wants to pay! those connectors are even more fun to do when you can barely get one hand on it and can't see it(cam sensor)

 

[JWChessell]

I removed the tail-light plug today. Did not have the luxury of having read this post first. Finally figured out the orange tab, with the release-lever in the middle (it's small, I used the pin on one of the test-leads on my VOM to push it to one side). Then, after alot of swearing, figured out that the black plastic pieces on the opposite side from the orange tab, were actually another piece that was also locking the plug together. Managed to press that down, and the plug came apart. What a P-I-T-A! What is Dodge expecting? That we're going to spend all our lives driving in Afghanistan, where off-road vibration will shake the truck apart in 40 years?



It reminds me of the fuel tank vent mod, where you have to have seven fingers and two thumbs (on opposite sides) on one hand in order to disconnect the fuel lines and drop the tank. Come on! The electrical and fluid connections are bullet-proof, yet the sheet metal is so thin... my 6" diameter mag-mount CB antenna won't stay put on the roof. So why doesn't Dodge address THAT issue? Give us a good place inside the cab to mount Ham/CB radios and a good place on the outside of the truck to mount an antenna... Hmmmm?