xlr connector stuck in broken jack

Discussion in 'Leaderboard, Overboard, and Deals' started by Ice-man, Apr 12, 2017.

  1. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    I recently bought an amp that I did not know was damaged in shipping. The balanced xlr in was damaged. I unknowingly plugged in an xlr cable and now it stuck permanently it seems. I've tried everything I can think of to free it safely. No luck.

    I'm hoping that someone here has had the same experience and can offer a solution....
     
  2. JeffYoung

    JeffYoung Friend

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    There's a spring-loaded latch that snaps into a rectangular hole at the end of the barrel of the plug. If you can take the plug apart, you may be able to get a screwdriver in there to release it.

    Good luck.
     
  3. BenjaminBore

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    Photos may be useful. If you cannot remove it mechanically you could try blow-drying the port to heat it up and make it little softer. It may grant you enough give on the connector to remove it more gently. Just be careful if you have to really heat it up a lot, remove the XLR cleanly so as to not deform the socket. And of course unplug everything first.

    To try and avoid the solder points cracking try and support the socket when using force to remove the connector.
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2017
  4. Ice-man

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    I've been able to run a small piece of credit card across the top of the connector and through the jack but it doesn't release.
     
  5. JeffYoung

    JeffYoung Friend

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    What about taking the cover off the amp. Can you see what it's catching on then?
     
  6. Ice-man

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    Yes, it's seems to be a "hook" type catch. Because I can run the credit card strip all the way past the catch and it doesn't release.
     
  7. JeffYoung

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    Yeah, that's why I was wondering if you could get to the back of it with the amp cover off. Depending on the brand, even if the circled button is broken off, you may be able to press down on the arrowed spring at the back.

    [​IMG]

    With some brands of connectors the case covers the back of the spring catch, so it might not work....

    Cheers,
    Jeff.
     
  8. Ice-man

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    Okay, I got it out. It was a real bitch. So here is the solution that worked for me.

    1. Take the jack out of the amp if you can. Not necessary to cut the wires. This give you much better ability to work the connector out.

    2. You MUST take the metal housing off the cable. Most will be Neutrik but mine was Ampenol (sp?) This allows you to get tools into the plug. Otherwise with the connectors housing still there, you'll never get tools in to spring the lock.

    3. I used a combination of a smaller jewelers flathead screwdriver into the plug and depress the lock and then it slide right out.

    Whew...
     

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