I am trying to remove my stock ECU. My problem is that I can't turn it enough to see the plugs in the back of it so I can't tell how it actually unplugs. I'm a bit afraid to just pull on the plug since I don't want to pull on the wires and I can't necessarily feel the plug.

Are there any tabs that have to be pressed, pull, etc.. to get the plug to release?

 

4 plugs of varying widths, each has a tab that must be pressed to release it. The tabs are facing towards the middle of the car. Use a small mirror and light to see back in there. Make sure to pull on the plug and not the wires.

 

yes, each plug should have a little push tab in the middle to "unhook" it...they can become brittal and break, so it can be fun to get them out. but if its not been messed with much, hopefully they are fine. if u can't see the tabs, they should be on the other side...they are much like the tabs u find on the "univeral" blue connectors located throughout the car (and some various white plugs too...) the X connectors if ur looking at any of the wiring diagrams

 

Thanks guys. I'll give that a shot when I get home tonight. In the distant past some PO's had hacked into the wires it looks like. Lots of crimp connectors. So I'm going to be very gentle!

 

It may take some force to get the connectors out of the ECU... Mine were a pain in the ***. But try unbolting the ECU frmo the car and then pull out the connectors. More room to work

 

^ +1

In fact I recall using a phillips head screwdriver to push hard into the latch. Each latch has a depression in the top, so I used the screwdriver to simultaneously push the latch in and the connector out. There are many pins, and the pins definitely keep a good hold on the connector. It would probably be smart to wear gloves since the ECU chassis is pretty sharp and when the connector comes loose it can be a sudden event.

Dave

 

Yeah, I got it unbolted, but I don't want to twist and tug on that wiring harness too much. I'll grab a mirror and see if that helps. Just knowing there are tabs there helps a lot.