ECM Help! Help!

[Adam Hicklin]

I need to disconnect The ECM on a Cat 12 to do some welding.  I've located the two big multi-wire plugs on the passenger side of the engine.  Fro the life of me I can't pull them out of the connector.  Ken at BCS said they should just pull apart, but no can do.  Any tricks?  Suggestions?  I was able to get a some channel locks on the lower plug, but the housing is so brittle, I'm afraid I'll break it.  I'm open to suggestions.

1998 Marquis

[Gerald Farris]

Adam,
I have never had to unplug the ECM on a C-12, but in my other life (auto mechanic) all of the ECMs that I serviced had some kind of retainer to ensure that the connector always stayed in place. Some had an external retainer and some had a small bolt in the center of the connector that bolted the connector to the ECM.

Gerald  

[Adam Hicklin]

Thanks Gerald. I can't feel anything around the plug which would indicate any type of retainer or bolt.  I'll certainly check again in the morning.  It's in an awkward place and hard to get a hold of but the thing won't budge.  Worse case scenario, if I can't unplug it, any suggestions for going forward with the weld?

[Tom and Pam Brown]

If not mistaken there should be a "ring" on the outside of the plug that must be unscrewed.  Then it will pull apart.

[Adam Hicklin]

Tom, these two plug are rectangular.  

[Tom and Pam Brown]

Sorry Adam wrong series.  The rectangle plugs have a catch mechanism that has to be released.  Some of them actually have a bolt securing them together. Send a picture if you can.