Fuel tank connector issue

[rrowdy]

Well, I thought I'd drop the fuel tank and correct the vent problem on both the fill and the two open vents, install
a water separator and 2u filter along with an AD Raptor pump.
It was impossible to get the connections off with no clearance so I had to drop the tank some by releasing the lines
from the frame.
Now I can somewhat see what's going on and got that little F@#%&g red tab moved over but 5 hours later, the connector still won't budge. Notice also the fuel connector releases are not at the side they're @ 12:00 and 6:00.
If any of you guys have any ideas, please speak up. if not, I'm about to rip this POS out with a huge pair of Channellocks,

Please keep in mind the camera is looking up at a mirror. Thx in advance.......I hope.

 

[Bob4x4]

it may have enough dirt in the connector that it is blocking you from pinching it enough to release.

 

[rrowdy]

I finally had to remove the whole module while lowering the tank so the module is still hanging there by the electrical connector.
I also got the fuel quick connects off but I'm still fighting that damn electrical connector.
Geno's had a description of removing the red lock then pushing down on something on the front of the connector but I haven't found the right "something" yet so it's still hanging there and I might have to cut it off.

I read the old threads and thought I had this covered especially with guys stating it was easy peasy.....Yeah, going on 8 hours, drenched in diesel and still have not got it off. I'd love to meet the guy that designed this thing.
At least the tank is out and I got it cleaned in & out and started on the vent mods.

Thank's for the suggestion that it may be dirt so I'll try contact cleaner. Maybe if all the stars line up I'll get the damn thing off.

 

[Ozymandias]

Pretty sure it is dirt under flag of the connector the stops you pushing it down to release.
I had many of such connectors on my truck, was flooded once in the past.

I have always good results with hitting the connector with something like a screwdriver a couple of times so the dirt loses up and falls out of the connectors caverns.

Try also pressure air to blow it clean.

 

[Ozymandias]

You can also try grabbing it out with something like a paperclip wire, now that you have soaked al with diesel the hit & blow system probably wont work anymore.

 

[sag2]

OK, I think this is the same connector you have. Not sure how the captions on the photo will show up so here is how it works. In the photo the arrow going to the bottom is the tab you press with your thumb or finger. The tab is like a fulcrum and when you press on the tab it lifts the other end of the tab with the arrow going up. Also in my photo the red lock is unlocked. Sometimes like has been said there is dirt in the connector that keeps the part of the tab at the top from raising up enough to release. Also, push the connector together, then press on the tab, then pull apart. If you start pulling it apart before you release it, it can jam up.

 

[sag2]

This is the other half of the connector. The lock tab circled with black sharpie is what is holding behind the U shape of the photo with the black sharpie dot. When you depress the tab, it lifts the U shape lock over the circled lock tab so you can pull the connector apart.

 

[rrowdy]

Thanks Sag, that's exactly what I was looking for. My connector is a little different I had to pick uo the little tab and it came right apart.
I guess that One lock wasn't enough so they complicated it by adding another.

 

[Ozymandias]

Did you think you can pull only the red tab and then I came right apart?

 

[rrowdy]

i thought that I could slide the red tab to the side and push another tab then it should come apart when in fact I had to lift
a tab while pulling on the connector.
More than a little frustrating when lying on your back looking up at a mirror with only one hand when it takes Two. I'm curious as to why Two locks when one would have been more than sufficient.....Maybe from the same engineer that designed the open vents.
The vent mods are finished, the tank is back up and now I have to mount the pump, the filters, run the fuel line to front and run the wiring to the pump. Easy peasy.
Thank's to everyone that gave input on the connectors, the fuel filters and the pump. Owning and maintaining these trucks would be far more difficult without this site.

 

[Crunch]

I'd love to meet the guy that designed this thing.

Man, how many of us have said the same thing over the years!

 

[peterwalf]

It might be some garbage inside the connector i think you should check it again else take some help from expert.