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I have the following circular connector.

enter image description here

enter image description here

I am wondering whether there is a way of uncoupling them without resorting to brute force, the reason why one of the red plastic housings is disconnected is from the aformentioned brute force. The reason is because I have to take apart some wiring and the connectors are attached to a flimsy button that I have taken effort in not damaging.

Based on other similar questions I have attempted to look for interactable tabs such as screws, to no success. The closest thing to a tab is a circular popup (very light popup) thing that lightly snaps through a hole of the connector.

So far, I have attempted to use a careful amount of force (due to the button issue), as well as wiggle the connector with my hands. Also, I have not been able to push down the popup, with fingers or a screwdriver.

Please let me know if more information/pictures is required.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Grab the metal with pliers, wiggle side to side. \$\endgroup\$
    – DKNguyen
    Nov 1, 2022 at 14:45
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    \$\begingroup\$ Your hands are no meaningful comparison. They are big and squishy. \$\endgroup\$
    – DKNguyen
    Nov 1, 2022 at 14:48
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    \$\begingroup\$ Sometimes there is a very small tab that snaps into a small hole in the face of the mating connector. It's something you might easily miss. A dental pick or similar pointed instrument can be used to push the tiny tab so that it no longer interlocks with the hole. This will allow the connectors to disengage with less force \$\endgroup\$
    – Math Keeps Me Busy
    Nov 1, 2022 at 14:53
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    \$\begingroup\$ Those are not circular connectors. They are 1/4" tab connectors, often called "Faston(tm)" crimp terminals. \$\endgroup\$
    – Peter Bennett
    Nov 1, 2022 at 15:57
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    \$\begingroup\$ Also called "spade" connectors. The round part is a crimp connection. \$\endgroup\$
    – Math Keeps Me Busy
    Nov 1, 2022 at 16:15

2 Answers 2

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There isn't a specific tool that I'm aware of outside of something that you'd find in a toolbox. The methods I've used are to try and find things to jam inbetween the connectors and pry them apart, usually pliers or screwdrivers.

This can be a big problem if the connectors are corroded or the connectors are jammed because of improper crimping.

It might be easier to just cut them and install new ones.

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What I do with these if they're tight is use a pair of small needle-nosed pliers, lightly hold the area between the two connector halves with the pliers and twist the pliers sideways so they act as a lever between the two halves, pushing them apart.

The little plastic insulator should pop right back on.

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