How do I get this MAF Sensor electrical connector off? (2013, engine)

[mileena]

Hi, I changed my engine air filter last week for my 2007 Toyota Sienna. The air filter is partially exposed by about 2 mm all around and the housing does not fully close, but I am pretty sure that is normal for my car. (I think this is how it always has been, at least with a Fram air filter, which there are rumors of sizing problems for my car according to some very old guy on YouTube. Regardless, the 2 mm of filter exposed does not let anything past the covered air filter.)

But my question is this: the wires to the MAF Sensor prevent you from fully opening the air filter housing. Therefore, the sensor itself or the electrical clip for the wires to the sensor needs to be disconnected. I did it the hard way by unhooking the MAF Sensor from the air filter housing cover, by removing two Phillips #3 screws with a right-angle ratcheting bit driver, since access was hard. But to do so most efficiently, you need to disconnect the electrical connector for the MAF sensor, which saves you time and unneeded wear on the two Phillips screws heads (which I shredded a little while unscrewing). It also prevents you from potentially dropping the two very small screws in the engine compartment and also torquing the screws wrong.

But I cannot for the life of me get the electrical connector to the MAF sensor off. It is supposed to be really easy. Just press a tab or something and the connector comes right off, like changing a light bulb. But in my case, any or all of the following apply:

a) It is stuck on and/or I do not know how hard I am supposed to wiggle it to get it off
b) I am too scared to pull the connector tab too far in fear of breaking it
c) There is not a lot of room to work with, especially if I want to use two hands
d) I don't know what exactly what to pull or press (the two electrical parts connected are all black plastic so it's hard to see where or how they separate)
e) It's hard to get a grip on whatever I should pull or whatever I should press is not pressing down enough or easily

I posted some pics:







A gallery with larger, clickable pics is here:

https://postimg.org/gallery/3i9cxl1fu/


Does anyone know how to get this off, so I know for the future?

Thanks!

[mileena]

Also, you need to disconnect three vacuum lines/rubber hoses at the filter housing to change the air filter, two of which can be seen here:



Are these lines shots, due to cracking at the end? I did not cause this damage. I bet these were caused by lazy Express Lube mechanics at the dealership, who did not pull these off the right way when they checked the air filter??

I would not even know to go about replacing these lines. Do stores like NAPA or AutoZone cut hose to custom lengths anymore? They wouldn't stock such a generic part, would they?

[notnamed]

That one looks like it would take a small flat head screwdriver through the front to help lift it off the tab.

But unscrewing it like you did isn't a bad thing. Can take that opportunity to clean it. Some rubbing alcohol and q-tips will get the job done.

[notnamed]

And you should not have to mess with any of that to change the filter.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o1RHTTkU5yI

[mileena]

Originally Posted by notnamed

That one looks like it would take a small flat head screwdriver through the front to help lift it off the tab.

But unscrewing it like you did isn't a bad thing. Can take that opportunity to clean it. Some rubbing alcohol and q-tips will get the job done.

Good point about cleaning it. Never thought of that! I usually don't think of doing things unless they are in my official service schedule manual.

Ok, so I place a flathead screwdriver under the tab (the tab I am thinking of is toward the top of the pic and away from the MAF sensor/Phillips screws) and pry hard up and pull the connector back at the same time?? What if the tab breaks? And I hope a flathead screwdriver fits in there. The expert indy mechanic guy on the video below just pulled it off:

[view 0:16-0:22 below]


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sCuIDPPW1I&t=1s

[mileena]

Originally Posted by notnamed

And you should not have to mess with any of that to change the filter.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o1RHTTkU5yI

I saw that video too! Small world. :-)

But that guy did it wrong, I think! He did not disconnect the wires to the MAF Sensor, thus putting them risk of becoming damaged, since they effectively hold the filter housing shut. If you pull the housing off without disconnecting the wires, you risk tearing at them and loosening them from the connetor. Most of the other YT videos on this tell you to disconnect the MAF Sensor wires and even the the large air hose, which I found unnecessary.

[notnamed]

The two bolts and the tabs the housing slides into are what hold the housing shut. Don't have a Sienna but that's how I've changed the filter in every car I've owned. There should be enough slack to crack it open and retrieve/replace the filter.

Yeah you just may need some upward pressure on the other side to help it along if it's jammed on there and dirty and the tab release isn't getting the job done.

[tofuproductions]

Small flathead and wd-40 and you'll be good to go.

[notnamed]

Check that the filter is aligned properly and it is firmly seated in the hinges on the left side.
How to Change the Air Filter on a 2004-2010 Toyota Sienna - Share Your Repair

[mileena]

Originally Posted by notnamed

The two bolts and the tabs the housing slides into are what hold the housing shut. Don't have a Sienna but that's how I've changed the filter in every car I've owned. There should be enough slack to crack it open and retrieve/replace the filter.

Yeah you just may need some upward pressure on the other side to help it along if it's jammed on there and dirty and the tab release isn't getting the job done.

Thanks! I just think I tend to worry about everything breaking, from hoses, to wires, to tabs, lol. You can't be that scared if you want to be a real mechanic I guess, lol.