Petrol tank electrical plug

[Pete McCue]

Good morning, I hope someone is on-line who can help!
I need to change my handbrake cables and I'm stuck at the first hurdle. How the hell does the electrical plug come apart without damaging those little wires?? I've tried squeezing, levering, just pulling but I can't shift the bastard! My fingers are now numb with all the squeezing and pulling. Any advice appreciated. Thanks

[Carolyn]

You only need to lower the tank fa few inches.  That way you don't have to disconnect the fuel pump.

There is a 'how to' on changing handbrake cables.  It's right at the very top of the list of topics.

[Chilli Girl]

Good morning, I hope someone is on-line who can help!
I need to change my handbrake cables and I'm stuck at the first hurdle. How the hell does the electrical plug come apart without damaging those little wires?? I've tried squeezing, levering, just pulling but I can't shift the bastard! My fingers are now numb with all the squeezing and pulling. Any advice appreciated. Thanks

Frustrating I'm sure but we don't appreciate swearing on the forum - this is a family site!

[Pete McCue]

Frustrating I'm sure but we don't appreciate swearing on the forum - this is a family site!

Apologies. 

[Pete McCue]

You only need to lower the tank fa few inches.  That way you don't have to disconnect the fuel pump.

There is a 'how to' on changing handbrake cables.  It's right at the very top of the list of topics.

Aye, thanks for that. I had read that and also found a few on-line videos. Looking at the videos it looked much easier if the tank was lowered a fair bit to make access a bit easier but it did require the electrical plug and fuel lines disconnecting, one of which I couldn't get off either. Also, nowhere mentions the coolant pipes that are all in the way too! I've given up for now, it can wait for a warmer day.

[Carolyn]

If you don't want to drop the tank all the way, the coolant pipes don't come into play.

[Pete McCue]

If you don't want to drop the tank all the way, the coolant pipes don't come into play.

Actually, I think they might be the AC pipes but they obscure the bolts holding the fuel tank.

[Nomad]

I don't have AC and I was able to lower down the tank by good 150mm without disconnecting anything from the top. There was no tension on any of the pipes either, I made sure of that

[Carolyn]

I do have AC and it wasn't an issue.  At the worst you undo a couple of mounting brackets without disconnecting anything.

I've had the tank all the way out on another occasion, in order to replace gearshift cables.  I did not disconnect any cooling or AC hoses.  I did undo a few mounting brackets.

[Pete McCue]

OK. Thanks for the advice. I will wait for a nice warm day, get out there nice and early and just take my time. I was actually toying with the idea of removing the tank completely as I do like to have space to do a job properly and have a good clean up of anything else under there while I'm at it. The second fuel connector REALLY didn't want to come off though, and I was going to damage it if I tried much more so maybe not this time.
Oh, and I did get the electrical connector off. I was squeezing the right bit but the clip was really stuck tight. A pair of pump pliers across the plug did it!
Thanks again.

[Pete McCue]

Well, what a chore that was!!
New, genuine, handbrake cables fitted, BC Racing coilovers swapped out for new standard suspension and new calipers fitted, all just at the rear!
If the handbrake cables ever need replacing I will either remove the fuel tank completely or just sell the car! 🤣🤣