An electrical connector assembly having a housing, a terminal alignment plate and an independent secondary lock member. The terminal alignment plate has secondary lock engagement surfaces. The independent secondary lock member has terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces. When the independent secondary lock member is in the open position, the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces engage the secondary lock engagement surfaces of the terminal alignment plate to retain the terminal alignment plate in the protecting position and prevent the terminal alignment plate from being moved to the fully inserted position. When the independent secondary lock member is in the closed position, the terminal alignment plate engagement surfaces do not engage the secondary lock engagement surfaces of the terminal alignment plate, allowing the terminal alignment plate to be moved to the fully inserted position.