After failing to fix my “brake light stuck on” problem and needing a change of focus, I decided to pull the 42 pin connector below the fuse panel and look inside it. I’ve got some othe electrical problems that may be related, and there was a serious water incursion problem before I bought it.
I pulled away the trim (is there a non-destructive way to get it off?) and can see the connector, but I can’t dismount it. Does it slide onto a boss, or is it held on by a bolt? I can only see it sort of sideways as the trim panel that I pulled away blocks a head on view. What’s the secret to getting that connector dismounted?

 

I was able to separate the connector in place, and there was indeed some corrosion present. Seems to be mainly on the middle pins rather than the ends. I still don’t know how to release the connector even after seeing it. Seems like it slides up, but there may be a catch I’m missing.
Sprayed some contact cleaner on both parts and brushed with a fiber brush. I’d love to take a brass brush to the male pins, but I’m afraid of leaving a broken bristle to short some connections.
any hints on cleaning the connections?

 

Got connector separated, sprayed, cleaned individual male/female pins, and I think I encountered a broken pin. My female cleaning device won’t enter one port, and I think the male pin may be broken off - I can’t get my head far enough in to see clearly.
having no luck finding any information about that connector to try and find what pin may have broken. I’ve got the Bentley manual, but have found nothing.
on top of all that, after reconnecting to see if I’d made a difference, the battery was down. I’d disconnected the negative side before screwing around, but somehow it discharged anyway.

 

That I’ve gotten no responses to the question on this thread. I’m talking to myself, feeling like the dork in the middle school cafeteria who can’t get a seat at the popular table.
Did I post my question in the wrong forum? I haven’t showered in a couple of days, but you don’t know that.

 

LOL Do you mean this connector below the interior fuse panel?

It should* come out fairly easily if you move the white lever across. But its not well situated as there is a stud that holds the main fuse panel in place that it doesnt really clear, so some wrestling is required. The interior trim can be moved out of the way by removing the rubber door seal, 3 or 4 of those two part panel pins, the lower seatbelt mounting and the pedal footrest, and wrestling it back and out. Takes some nerve wracking bending. First time I did this I removed the seat, but its not necessary. Instructions here for that and many other things... https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...-panel/EIee1hN



EDIT: Linked instructions are for the R52, but the hard top is almost certainly the same procedure.

 

See also: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...-cable/Oj16FMK

Dear God, why SO MANY different types! This is what happens when your engineers annual appraisals include the desire for them to come up with 2 patent-able ideas a year.... Cant just pick one or two that work and stick with them!

 

This is why european brands are notorious for having terrible electrics. Japanese brands seem to be mostly immune, barring a few examples...

 

Thanks for the responses. New information that I hadn’t seen before.
The connector pictured is the one I’m working on. I haven’t yet figured out how to remove the bottom (male) portion for better access. I found a diagram in my Bentley manual, although it’s in code. I’ve gotten that connector apart and cleaned it. Fixed some things and maybe broke some others. Hoping I didn’t fry my BCM during the futzing. Long story.
That trim panel must be more flexible than I’m giving it credit for.
here’s a picture of my female connector. You can see the broken pin. So something doesn’t work. I think it may be the OFB connector, but I haven’t verified that yet.
Any useful contact cleaning tips?




meow! That looks terrible close up.