Stumped by Sony board connectors

[JVRaines]

I decided to have an adventure and replace some bad caps in a Sony Hi8 VCR. But first I have to disconnect the PSU board to remove it. I'm having trouble with a couple of obstinate wire-to-board connectors. I've wiggled, rocked, pried and pulled to no avail—in fact one of them is starting to rip off the circuit board! Anyone have tips on getting these darn things apart?

Here is an example (from another spot in the VCR):

[gilly1984]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

they are fixed to the board. the plastic just keeps the wire together.

[crtfool]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

As gilly said - they are soldered to the board - now you need to see if you broke the traces when you tried to remove them. If you must remove them, you have to unsolder them.

[JVRaines]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

I understand what you're saying, and that I may have damaged traces. But I'm puzzled about what to do if these connectors can't be disconnected. They appear to be two parts, one locked into the other. And there is at least one place in the unit where the service manual says to disconnect this type of connector.

Here is a wider shot. The metal cage at the bottom is the PSU. It's supposed to lift out of the opposite side of the chassis. The PSU board is inside and only accessible after the cage is removed. But the cage is held captive by the two visible wire assemblies: one goes to the circuit board at top, and the other goes somewhere far away in the VCR. One end or the other has to be removable, right?

[lti]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

It looks like the power supply end is removable.

[JVRaines]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

That was my assumption. But others are saying these connectors (which are the same as the one in the first picture, only wider) are not removable.

[budm]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

I can see the male pins sticking through the gripper, never seen one like that is solder directly to the board with male pin exposed like that.

[gilly1984]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

I have come across them before when working on a technics mini seperates, the amp section. From the psu to the main board, had to take it all out together to work on it, was a pain. Didn't fancy de soldering it.

[budm]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

I came across them also that you have to unsolder them from the board,but never see one with male pins sticking out like that.

[JVRaines]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

Thanks for the input, everyone! Today I got a little more determined and was able to finally disconnect them; it took forever pulling straight up. Fortunately the one I mangled only broke its solder joints and didn't mess up the pads.

Of course, there are no visible signs of bad caps. But I'm pretty sure this is the board that gave off a hot glycol odor when the unit was turned on.

[gilly1984]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

I came across them also that you have to unsolder them from the board,but never see one with male pins sticking out like that.

Ah, so it does. Missed them pins. The technics didnt have them.

[momaka]

Re: Stumped by Sony board connectors

I usually use a small flat head screwdriver (or two) to pry the narrow sides of the connector. After this, the connector comes out much easier.