How to unclip O2 sensor connector? Can't get it to budge at all?

Hello,

I have been reading these forums the last few days to try and get my car to pass the new emissions test. I have determined that it is the upstream O2 sensor that needs to be replaced but when I went to replace it I encountered a problem right away with removing the connector. Here are a few pictures.

Attachment 6448Attachment 6449

I have tried pushing in and pulling the black tab on the underside (picture at right) but can't budge it at all? Should I be doing something to the red tab on top at the same time? I tried a search here but nothing came up.

Thanks!

push the clips toward each other, and then push the black tab down and pull them apart..

the plastic often gets brittle, so you might need to put a small screw driver in there to bend the plastic off the tab (what the black tab should do).

doubledown-

use compressed air (protect eyes) to blow the dust/grit out of the section where they slide together and around the locking tabs. HTHY

petrified.rabbit So I tried pushing together the clips then pushing the black tab down and still didn't have any luck even after using a small screwdriver (I'll try an even smaller screwdriver tomorrow)

JusteR I am going to get some compressed air tomorrow at lunch and try that as well as the above method.

Thanks very much to the both of you for your replies and I will update once I get back at er tomorrow!

So after trying the above solutions I only managed to budge the underside (with the black tab). Should I be doing something with the red tab on top? (it looks like it could move but can't move mine) I managed to jam a micro flat head screw driver between the male and female parts except i couldn't near the red tab on top which makes me wonder if it needs to be moved? I wonder if they could be melted together somehow?

Don't worry about the red tab. keep wiggling, it'll come apart... unless it's been super-glued. Finesse will come with experience :D BTDT broke a few.

Thanks for all the help JusteR! The relief when it finally came apart was amazing. Now to get the other end out of the manifold!

would like to get a car fax on my aveo, it is sitting in the shop now, after just buying it for fuel pump/catalyic converter. Place I bought from did give out a car fax. It was a nice running car till this happened. Also rear wheels have locked up..

Rear shoe automatic adjuster is either jammed or a shoe has fallen off inside the rear drum, jamming the wheel. The rear brakes are essentially stuck on. Happened to my wife. If you need to take it somewhere to be fixed, save yourself a tow and remove the rear wheel and drum, take out the rear brake pads and shoes, put the drum and wheel back on and drive it whereever you need to go. Just remember you'll only have front brakes and they don't grab until the pedal is almost to the floor so be careful.