ford galaxy wiper motor removal of electrical connector?

[biker01]

I am just about to endeavour to extract the wiper motor and linkages but am finding the electrical connector difficult to unplug: any tips would be welcome. It don't want to risk breaking the connector!

[SilverBeast]

The method of disconnecting is the same for the other electrical connectors with the catch.  I can never remember exactly how to do it, and have to work it out every time!

I suggest you examine closely and practice on one of the other more accessable connectors.

[insanitybeard]

The type of connectors fitted on the Galaxy etc can be a bit tricky to remove especially if you've not had experience of them before. The below picture is a similar type of connector (actually a front headlamp connector), basically the best way I've found is to insert a broad flat screwdriver as circled orange in the below picture between the connector body and release lug and lever the release lug (lever the screwdriver in the direction indicated by the green arrow- back and down, this releases the lug/tab which allows the connector to be removed).

[attachimg=1]

The below image shows what happens when you lever the release lug- the retaining tab in the connector body (circled yellow) moves upwards (as indicated by the red arrow) and unlatches from the mating male connector stub of whatever you are disconnecting, there is often an o-ring within the connector body to keep out dirt and moisture which can make them tight to pull apart, any dirt and dust that has found it's way in can also make them tough to separate!

[attachimg=2]

[biker01]

Thanks guys will examine closely and try to identify the features in the photos (great photos!!)
someone mentioned a clip round the back, any clues?

[insanitybeard]

That's probably the wiring loom retaining clip, it's clipped onto the nearside of the linkage as arrowed yellow in the picture below, due to poor access and limited slack in the cable it's a bit of a pig to free this clip from the metal lug on the linkage that it slides over, basically there's a lug in the plastic wiring clip that locks into the hole you can see in the arrowed metal lug in the picture and you have to lever the plastic lug in the clip free of the hole in order to pull the clip off.

[attachimg=1]

[biker01]

Hi Thank for the info re the hidden clip and the photo!!
managed to pull off the motor plug: turned out that the main problem was the O ring seal: needed to lever it off whist holding the retainers clips open.
Tomorrow, will tackle getting the whole assembly out!!
thanks again, a great help.

[biker01]

All done now! Just to add getting the ball joints apart : not being very adept with screwdrivers to lever them apart I found using an open ended spanner that slotted around the joint a very easy way of persuading the joint to part.

[SilverBeast]

Good tip. Probably better than using a screwdriver as it stops the bar twisting by levering evenly on both sides of the ball joint.