Step on Plug?

[Varsity]

Ok, so I posted this under the sticky post a few days ago, but not sure if it gets attention there. I need to replace a crank angle sensor on my 4.0 OHV, but when I look up parts at Pepboys, or any parts store for that matter, I always get an option w/ or w/o a step on plug. I have no clue what that is. The part guys are no help, telling me to call the dealership etc etc, but I know that will get me nowhere. Anyone know what they mean by a step on plug? The pics show 'em almost identical but with a $5 difference. They would also have to be special ordered so of course I can't see two of them side by side. I really appreciate all help, and sorry to sound like I'm impatient, but I would love to fix my truck already!

 

[Van]

I found this on a Taurus forum.
Maybe it will help your problem.

Non-Step Style - If you look inside the connector on the Camshaft Position Sensor; you are looking at the socket (female) side of a quick connect plug. For the non-step style plug socket, the hole is the same size in the front of the plug socket as it is at the back (bottomed out in the socket hole) end of the plug socket. This means the tip of the plug (male end of the quick connect) from the vehicle will be the same size as the back end of the quick connect plug, (no step down in size.)

Step Style - If you look inside the connector on the Camshaft Position Sensor; you are looking at the socket (female) side of a quick connect plug. For the step style plug socket, the hole is large at the front of the socket, then about .25 (1/4) inches into the socket, the size of the socket steps down about .0625 (1/16) inches. This means that .25 (1/4) inches into the socket, the socket hole steps down and is smaller than the socket hole at the front of the socket. The smaller socket dimension remains this size the rest of the way back (bottomed out in the socket hole) of the plug socket. Looking at the vehicle side of the quick connect plug, the tip of the plug (steps down in size.)

 

[Varsity]

Thanks for the response Van, I think I understand the difference now. Still have to do some work to get to the CPS, but once everything is taken apart, hopefully I should be able to recognize the difference. Where would I be without this place!