If you’ve ever wrestled with a stubborn electrical connector or a fuel line fitting, you know the struggle is real. What should be a quick disconnect turns into a finger-bruising, tab-snapping mess. Dust, grime, and tight clearances only make it worse.
And using the wrong tool? That’s a fast track to broken tabs and expensive headaches. Once a connector tab snaps, it’s game over—you’re depinning and repinning, possibly for hours.
That’s why connector pliers (a.k.a. disconnect pliers) are a game-changer. They make tough jobs easy, protect your fingers, and save those fragile tabs from destruction.
In this post, I share more on these special pliers and why you should have them in your automotive pliers set.
What are connector pliers?
Connector/disconnect pliers are special pliers for disconnecting electrical connectors, block-mounted sensors, and fuel line adapter fittings. They allow you to easily pinch a connector and pull it off in seconds.
Typically, connector pliers have bent narrow tips that squeeze on the connector tabs to release them. At the same time, the hooks offer a solid bite onto the tabs that enables you to easily pull out even the more stubborn connectors.
From my experience, disconnect pliers pinch and pull off connectors more easily than any other tool and with less effort.
Alternative tools
When you don’t have connector pliers at hand, you can use a range of other tools to disconnect plastic automotive connectors that won’t come off by hand. These alternative tools are however not as effective but they can save the day.
The two most alternative tools you can use to remove the plastic connectors and fittings from a car are a slotted screwdriver or a pair of regular pliers.
Regular pliers
Regular/ordinary pliers are arguably the most versatile tool for gripping and manipulating small objects. You can use them to squeeze the connector tabs and simultaneously pull out the connectors.
Specifically, needle nose pliers work well for this purpose. They have deep narrow jaws that can access connectors in tight spaces. Some long nose pliers have bent jaws which offer great versatility and leverage in tighter spaces. You can use them to work on connectors and adapter fittings with single or double locking tabs.
The disadvantage of using regular pliers to remove connectors is that they do not provide the perfect grip on the connector tabs. As you pull, they tend to slip and could mangle the tabs. Also, sometimes the squeezing pressure on the jaws might be too much and could crush the connector tabs.
The other tool you can use is a flat screwdriver. It works well for electrical connectors with a single tab. You use it to press the tab inside while levering out the connector. The lip on the locking tab enables the screwdriver to push out the connector without slipping.
The biggest challenge with using a screwdriver to pull out automotive connectors is the increased risk of snapping brittle tabs on the connectors of older vehicles.
Best Connector Pliers
I have come across many types of connector removal pliers but these two are my favorite, and presumably the best you will find. All the other disconnect pliers take the form of either of these two.
Lisle 37160 Disconnect Pliers – Best Fuel Line Connectors
The Lisle connector pliers are my go-to for fuel line connectors. They’re also excellent for unplugging electrical connectors and other small plastic fittings with lock tabs.
What sets these pliers apart are their deep jaws and 90-degree angled tips, which make it easy to press connector tabs—even in tight, awkward spaces. They open as wide as 2-3/16″, and with two hands, you can stretch them further to about 2-13/16″.
If you work on commercial rigs, these are a solid pick for removing DEF lines on EGR systems. A friend of mine who services large drilling rigs swears by them for removing diesel exhaust fluid line connectors—he says they work like a charm.
They’re made in the USA, which usually signals a solid build. True to Lisle’s reputation, these aren’t flimsy or made of cheap metal like some imports. They’re also rust-resistant and have spring-loaded handles for easy one-hand operation, plus cushioned grips for comfort during long jobs.
Hilitchi Disconnect Pliers Kit – Best for DIY
This disconnect pliers pack from Hilitchi is what I would recommend for any DIY mechanic or enthusiast. It contains three pairs of pliers that are very important to any auto technician.
One of the tools is of course the fuel line disconnect pliers. These 9-inch long pliers are made of carbon steel and have solid bent tips to provide a good working angle. They have a spring mechanism to keep the jaws open and the handles have comfortable grips for your hand.
Unlike the Lisle, these disconnect pliers have wider round tips that may not provide the best grip on tabs when pulling. However, they do work well on fuel hoses with plastic snap connectors. They are great for disconnecting the fuel pump from the line on many vehicles.
This Hilitchi package comes with another pair of disconnect pliers with narrower tips that are coated in black oxide to prevent rust. You can use them interchangeably with the main pair. These are better for electrical connectors.
Lastly, the third pair of pliers in the package is push pin pliers. These are special pliers for removing push pin fasteners used to attach trim pieces, fenders, and car bumpers. I have shared about them extensively in this article: What are push pin pliers?
Hilitchi pliers are made in China and this pack comes with a zippable bag that helps with storage and transportation.
Lisle 37960 Electrical Disconnect Pliers Review
The Lisle 37960 disconnect pliers are a must-have if you work with modern automotive electrical connectors. These things save your fingers from the pain of pinching stubborn tabs all day. I picked them up after seeing a demo and haven’t looked back since.
They’re designed primarily for plastic electrical connectors—just locate the push tab, slide the pliers in, squeeze, and pull. The offset tips make it easy to get around tight spots, and they give you the extra leverage you need without damaging the connector. I use them daily, especially on older cars with dirty, stuck connectors, and they never disappoint.
The grips are solid even when greasy, and the build quality is impressive for the price. Not a multi-purpose tool like the 37160, but for electrical connectors, these are the best I’ve used. I highly recommended them for any mechanic or DIYer.
Conclusion
No matter which type of connector pliers you choose, one thing is clear—they’re an essential addition to any mechanic’s toolbox. These tools make quick work of removing plastic electrical connectors and fuel line fittings, turning a frustrating task into a smooth, controlled operation.
They help prevent broken connector tabs, protect delicate components, and most importantly, save your fingers from getting pinched, scraped, or strained. For older mechanics or anyone with arthritis, they eliminate the pain and struggle of disconnecting plugs by hand.
If you regularly work on electrical or fuel systems, a good pair of connector pliers isn’t just convenient—it’s a game-changer. Once you use them, you won’t want to go back.
