Rear light cluster - connection problem?

[kensankson]

I buy them from Wurth and VW door wires with terminals on them.

Thanks to all for this thread - You've answered a problem with intermittent bulb warnings since buying the car 18 months ago, that culminated yesterday with the cluster failing completely and my arm getting cold signalling turns)

Crasher - when taking the cluster out and checking the terminals, there was indeed a burnt corroded earth pin, which I've cleaned up. However I think the previous owner may have had to remedy a similar issues and the connection plug that goes to the lights has a damaged connector (it has either corroded away or has been badly replaced).

With judicious use of a needle I've managed to get sufficient connection that the cluster works, but fully expect it to fail again, so want to be prepared.

I'm interested in replacing the connector (or the "split blades" inside) as you suggest, but the holder (part 1J0 973 704) appears to be a sealed unit. I've slid out the purple clip inside but this appears to just hold in a rubber seal and not the connectors themselves (As I didn't want to cause irreparable damage I didn't apply too much force).

Are the connector blades removable without cutting open the connector housing or a special tool?

The connector choices from Wurth were baffling!! Which specific connector will replace the light contact?
(is it simply the AMP Micro Quadlok System (MQS) 0.63 mm with locking lug? http://www.wurth.co.uk/catalogue/pdfs/UK-CD_03_0062.pdf

Thanks for your help

[Crasher]

After sliding out the clip you have to use a special tool that compresses the terminals locking tabs (Wurth call these "mit rast") and then you can pull them out.

[kensankson]

Thanks...

and is it the Micro Quadlok connector that you use?

[Crasher]

I use AMP terminals that I buy from Würth and I use a huge election of terminal extractors from VAG, Laser, Würth Snap On etc etc to carefully extract the terminals from the blocks takes a lot of practice, in some cases the terminals will not come out and you have to resort to crimping the wire as close as possible too the terminal and then crimping in a new terminal (preferably Gold plated if in stock) to re-instate the signal. I also tend to use spring loaded terminals to help maintain contact and obviously golf gives a better contactivity.

Search for what you want here and fleaBay have what you want. I can get any Würth product if you want it.