Infernal mounting connector!

[MisterH]

Geez, I feel like a total chimp struggling with one lousy connector, but I'm honestly stuck on stupid today. I'm trying to remove the EGR temperature sensor harness connector from the metal mounting bracket on my 99 QX4. I've removed the harness side plug so I just need to get the other end detached from the metal stanchion it slides onto. I'm just about at the stage where I'm going to break out the cutting wheel, but I'd prefer not to. Any tips on how to get this thing to release?

Thanks in advance!

[mdmellott]

I don't have EGR on mine but I do have several of those type harness plug mounts. They can be a pain to remove when they get cruddy under the plastic locking tab and in the guide slides of the connector. The sheet metal mount it slides onto has a small square cutout in it which engages with a locking tab on the plastic connector. A little WD40 or silicon spray will loosen up the crud under the plastic tab, making it easier to press below the thickness of the sheet metal. It will only depress just enough to clear the sheet metal to slide it off at the same time. Every time I have to undo one of those, I wish for a third hand to get it apart. Typically, it's usually in a position where I can't even see the tiny tab that needs to be pressed with a small screwdriver.

[mdmellott]

Here's an image of a connector that shows that small square tab that needs to be pressed to remove it. The tab height is no thicker than the sheet metal but can be a royal pain to press when they are old, stiff, and cruddy. https://www.wiringspecialties.com/vq35- ... connector/

[VStar650CL]

Hit the whole connector with pressurized WD40 before working the relief tab, it will wash out some of the crud that's binding the release pawl and make parting and reassembling it much easier.

[MisterH]

Thanks so much Vstar and MD! I'll blast it with some silicon spray and give it another try.