Is it just me or is the EVR electrical connector just about impossible to remove? I'm afraid I'm going to break the connector trying to disconnect it! Is there a trick or special tool for this? 1988 F250 4.9L.

 

Are you trying to remove it fro. The bracket, removing the electrical connector?

Yes, and I bet you have the extended type EVR connector too. Earlier engines had the longer looking electrical connector. Either way, yes iys difficult and having little patience will net you a broken electrical connector. Winter is only complicating your problem. Best thing to do is run the engine for awhile to warm the entire engine bay. Then slowly work at it side to side and a flat screwdriver. You can also use a hair dryer to warm the connector to prevent breaking the connector tab.

 

I got it off of the bracket so I have fairly good access to the connector, but it's still kicking my ***. I'm in Florida so it's not that cold out either. I'll try the hair dryer method tomorrow - I gotta walk away from it for now. Never seen anything like it before.

 

Just wanted to report that I finally got the connector uncoupled, and what I ended up having to do to get it done. I had to shave down the height of the tang to about half of what it was originally so that the locking tab wouldn't have to be stressed so much to clear the tang when pushed up. Shaving it down was possible when connected because there is a generous amount of space between the tang and the shrouded locking tab to be able to get an exacto blade in between them. Then I threaded a 12 awg bare copper wire thru the back of locking tab and twisted the ends together to provide a good handhold from which to pull the connector apart from the EVR. It came apart easily and without damage. No worries about it coming apart with the lowered tang either - it still locks together reliably because the plastic locking tab is so hard, inflexible, and set from age.

I'm not sure why they didn't just use the push down locking features of the TAB/TAD connectors directly next to the EVR - they are so much easier to unmate!