Ok first post. 2001 Cherokee. Hate for it to be such a dumb question but I am at wits end and do not want to break these connectors.
The MAP sensor, TPS and IAC? all have the same connector and for the life of me I can not get them disconnected. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. It’s just a freaking plug!

I’m in the process of replacing my 0331 head that finally cracked, but at 212k miles it did its job. Have a Clearwater head to put on, but need to get this intake manifold off first, and I can’t figure out these plugs to get them to release. Nothing presses down, no red clips etc. I don’t get it.
Maybe I’m stoned or something 😆 Even took sensor loose and still can’t figure it out

Have owned this Jeep since new and I know it’s never been off. Any tips or secrets would be greatly
appreciated.

 

Thinking you are doing it right by pushing down on those tabs.
Thinking you are just not using enough force.
Which I understand cause you don't want to break anything.
20 year old brittle plastic and all.
But thinking being right there in the engine compartment and being subject to all that heating up and cooling down has cause them to "seal" together.
I have had to take a crappy screwdriver or my smallest pry and work off electrical connectors in the past so....
Of course the plastic gets chewed up doing it this way so....
Couple bad ideas.
Maybe squirt some electronic cleaner in them and see what happens.
Wonder if you can take off the throttle body and move it out of the way enough to do everything you have to do.
Maybe take the sensors off the throttle body.
Like I said. All bad ideas. LOL.

 

I’m trying again this morning. You are right, all the connectors are brittle from heat cycles. I’ve broken four already lol
3 red clips on fuel injectors and a o2 sensor. Not worried about injectors coming off and putting on new o2 sensors, but I don’t want booger these 3 up. Will give it a blast of electric cleaner like you said and try it again. Got a ways to go still. Besides new Clearwater head, putting in complete new rocker arms, pushrods, lifters, new spark plugs and coil pack. Got a nice colored aluminum fuel injector rail that I’ve heard good things about, along with new 4 hole injectors. A water pump, thermostat housing, new fan clutch with new aluminum 3 row radiator.
After that I have my 3” lift pieced together.
ok going to hit it again. Thanks for the reply

 

Note from DJ
Here is a old post with a problem solving solution by CCKen99 NSS connector any tips for separating the black plug

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/nss-connector-193853/

OP by t-cell

Any tips for separating the black plug that goes to the NSS. Does the tab lift up, or press down. I don't want to break it.
-------------------------
Post 2 by CCen

Press in (down) on the tab closest to the edge of the connector. Do not pull on the wires to separate the connectors. Like most connectors, a small screwdriver is required to coax the connector apart at the connectors split line.

If the connector is filthy, you may want to spray the connector down with CRC QD Electronic Cleaner and use a paint brush to help clean it up, then squirt some Silicone spray on the connector to loosen up the lock tab (that has been in place since Christ was a Corporal).

I use Liquid Wrench Silicone Spray in an 11 ounce spray can.

 

I hit them with electrical spray cleaner and then they came apart. These you have to press the top middle tab real hard and use a small screwdriver to help.

Moving to injector removal then intake manifold

 

Good for you.
Thinking the electrical spray didn't do a thing.
Just been fighting with it long enough that you got it most of the way there already. LOL.

 

the electric connectors and the quick connect fuel and AFT fittings, golly a crappy design. The engineer that came up with those needs his head rearranged. I hate those things, hate them hate them hate them.