fuel injector disconnect technique?

[2000StreetRod]

Does anyone have a successful technique for disconnecting the fuel injector electrical connector? I tried rocking it side to side while pulling and it wouldn't release. Then I tried pulling one side tab out a little with a paint can opener. Even though I tried to be careful I broke off that side retaining tab before the other side tab would release. I searched online for a tool listed at Advance Auto, Harbor Freight, Auto Zone and O'Reilly auto parts and found nothing suitable.

 

[2000StreetRod]

no release

The problem with the connectors is that they have no release mechanism.

The side tabs that "lock" the connector to the injector become brittle and stiff after years of exposure to engine heat. The tabs have to be bent outward to clear the abrupt protrusion on the injector.

If one of the side tabs breaks then there is the possibility of the injector connector eventually vibrating loose causing an intermittent or no connection. Since I have to rewire the engine electrical harness for the Banshee M90 installation I'm going to replace all of the injector connectors.

These should mate well with my new Deka 4 injectors and provide many years of reliable, easy to connect/disconnect service.

 

[2000StreetRod]

all disconnected

I was able to get the other five fuel injector connectors disconnected without breaking them. What worked best was just a steady pull with my fingers on the rear of the connecter while repeatedly rocking it from side to side.

 

[ranger7ltr]

I have seen this as well...

I thought the injector sockets had a release spring on them to remove the connector and on some imports that is the case... But on every OEM Ford I have owned the plastic connector just has the molded-in lip to hold it in place...

I guess I have always used a tiny thin blade screwdriver to remove the things without breaking them...