I'm attempting to replace the pre cat sensor and i'm having some issues getting the old sensor connector unplugged. I searched online for about an hour without any luck and have fiddled with it but I'm afraid it i apply any more force it may break.

Here's a pic - does anyone have an idea on how to get this thing disconnected?

BTW I'm replacing it with part number NTK 24331 which has it's own connector.

 

Forgot to mention this is a 2007 mini cooper s

 

Just realized I was working on the post cat sensor. Im now working on the pre-cat sensor and it's connector is tough to get at as well. Seems like I may have to remove the metal holder to get the thing unclipped?

 

pull the red part up (from the orientation of the picture) from the blue part, that's how it separates.

 

Thanks e30r56, turns out I was working on the post-cat sensor when I should have been working on the pre-cat, so I was relieved that I didnt have to spend any more time working on the red and blue connectors in my original post.

I just finished up the work and it fixed my problem. All in all I spent about 3.5 hours to complete the job and if I had to do it again it would take 30 minutes now that I know exactly what has to be done. Since I couldnt find certain specific details for this job online I figured I'd post some pics and explanations for the parts where I wasted time.

I was getting code p0030 on my ODB reader and bought the ntk part from rock auto to replace my upstream oxygen sensor.

1st pic - Here is the pic of the upstream oxygen sensor and it's electrical connection. I wasted 1.5hrs when I assumed that all oxygen sensors were under the car. I mistook the downstream sensor for the upstream and that's where I got hung up on the blue/red electrical connection. I didnt have many problems getting the sensor out, just had to tap the wrench with a hammer a couple times.

2nd pic - Here is a close up of the electrical connection for the upstream sensor. I wasted another 1.5hrs on this while I tried to pull the bottom part of the connection downward (not possible) to disconnect the two cables. I finally realized the bottom piece can not go up or down, it has to come outward toward the front of the car. You can disconnect the top part before or after pulling forward the bottom part, probably easier to do it after.

3rd pic - What the mount looks like with the cables pulled out.

 

Thank you for the pictures!!!!

 

Replaced the upstream O2 sensor on my 2008 cooper yesterday. The pics and description from hendrixx007 saved my day. Although it doesn't look exactly like the 2008 version it was close enough. The tip about pulling the plug towards the front of the car was what did the trick. After reading this tip I stopped trying to pull down on the plug and pulled towards the front of the car. After 77K miles it was not easy to budge it. This is a force-fit between two metal tines. The times fit down the groove in the connector. I had to get a screwdriver in between the connector and the metal plate behind the connector. This allowed me to get enough leverage to move the connector a bit. After that I had more confidence to pry a little harder and it came out. After that, it was a breeze.

 

Nice thanx for then Pic's hendrixx007...easy...

 

hendrixx007 what were your symptoms before or during getting the code for a bad pre cat sensor?

 

I think the bad Pre cat sensor code is P0133e...but don't quote me on that...
I'm not a pro...maybe someone else can chum in..

 

I did quote you on that because you're correct.

My Bentley manual shows "O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response" (Bank 1 Sensor 1) in case someone with a similar code is thrown.