How to seperate coolant temp sensor connector?

[AmoebAssassin]

I know this is a crazy noob question, but I've located my idle problem to my coolant temp sensor's connection to the harness, I wiggled the connector around and my idle/stalling problem just dissappeared and the car runs great. For insurance, i want to take apart the connector and clean the prongs but im not exactly sure how to take apart the connector (red connector on passenger's side of engine, a bit downstream of where upper radiator hose meets intake manifold. I dont want to use brute force on the connector so i thought i'd check it out with you guys first, i searched the FSM and these boards but found nothing useful. If anyone could provide some insight on how htis connector comes apart, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Neel

[tiger]

my friend told me when I had the EXACT same problem... he said to use a safety pin or paper clip and theres something you have to push down on to pull the pins out.. one on each side.. I fiddled with it for EVER and never could get it out. I tried to look in it with a flashlight but I couldnt ever get it at a good angle to see. Anyway, I hope i helped a tad.

[BadMojo]

Just take a close look at it. I can't remember exactly what it looks like, but the only thing holding that plug on is a little metal clip (looks like a bent paper clip). You just pop the clip off...little screwdriver, fingers, whatever works for you.

[AmoebAssassin]

Took another look at it and i see the metal clip you're talking about. Is it possible to take that off without damaging it, I need to re-use the connector. Tiger, i saw those two areas to push down on when i was first trying and i went ape-**** on them with an awl but they didn't move...so i'm assuming my only option is to remove the clip. Any tips for doing this without damaging it?

[BadMojo]

As I recall you can bend it a little bit to take it off. It's pretty tough unless it's corroded. I just replaced the other temp sensor (the black one next to the red one) and when I popped the clip off it didn't bend or deform at all. Just reused it, no problems.

[nissilvat]

to take it off , use a set of 0-ring pliers, the ones with the long thin metal tips.

[HashiriyaS14]

So I needed to do this today, and I wasn't able to get it off.

I'm unclear as to whether I should be messing around with the metal clip or the two little plastic pieces on the side. The metal clip has a small piece of plastic over the top that keeps it from easily sliding off.

I know that people have to change/remove these things all the time on these cars, so its not like this is some sort of esoteric problem. What is the best way to get this thing off without destroying the connector?

I assume this is something that probably gets done at dealerships all the time. Maybe we can get NISTECH in here to help out with this.

[TheOne]

lookin to the front of the engine, on the right of that sensor clip the metal piece holding it can be taken out with a small screwdriver, just put it in between the clip & the connector then twist SLOWLY so that the clip doesn't just fly out and you loose it.

[KADreams]

Once you get it off, cut the harness connector completely off. It is useless, and will just corrode again even if you replace it. That sensor is too critical to be sending a faulty signal. Cut the plastic shrouding off the sensor, exposing only the leads. Then, strip the wires that were connected to the harness connector, and solder them directly to the leads on the sensor. You will never have a problem with it again.

[rsmithdrift]

KADreans, YOUR A F'ing PSHYCO!! What if the sensor quits working like the one on my z did??

Anyways, just hit it with some electrical connector cleaner and then put some dielectric gel in there. Works like a charm on my finicky MAF sensor on that same z car. You may have to put more dielectric gel in it ever few months, but it's all good.

[HashiriyaS14]

Ok, so I finally got the connector off. Do NOT resort to cutting anything, the screwdriver method mentioned above DOES work.

I'll explain in more detail:

The metal clip slides over the harness-side connector. It looks like a staple, and the two ends of the staple are both exposed. What you want to do is get a small jeweler's screwdriver and press down (in the direction the clip would come off) on ONE of these ends. No need to do both, it's a small weak clip. Mine slid off, then I got it off the rest of the way with my hands. I should have no problem re-using the connector.

What's the best thing to clean this all with, while I've got it all out in the open?

[InsanityInc]

I call them Jesus clips, because you pry them off with a screwdriver and then yell "Jesus christ, where the **** did that thing go?".

[KADreams]

KADreans, YOUR A F'ing PSHYCO!! What if the sensor quits working like the one on my z did??

Anyways, just hit it with some electrical connector cleaner and then put some dielectric gel in there. Works like a charm on my finicky MAF sensor on that same z car. You may have to put more dielectric gel in it ever few months, but it's all good.

Then you whip out the soldering iron, unsolder it, and redo the same on the new one.

[MikeMurphy]

I couldnt take mine off without breaking it. That plastic becomes extremely brittle.

Excellent to hear!