papaindigo wrote:
Without going out to unplug my connectors I offer the following:
1. I suspect what you refer to as the orange ring is a rubber/silicone plug seal designed to keep mostly moisture out of the connection. That seal should be impervious to anything that would cause it to "swell" however if the 2 halves of the plug are not assemble straight it's certainly possible for the ring to become deformed and appear swollen and that type of misalignment could easily cause the wiring pins to not seat properly even if any plug "clip" engages.
2. looking at the FSM I see no reason why the pin clips (e.g. what the pins plug into) should be larger on the #2 plug although a misalignment per above might have impacted their size.
3. as nearly as I can tell from looking at but not removing my plugs the 2 wires are fairly free going into the back of the plug. Based on that I suspect the ends inside the plug are fairly standard wiring pin connectors. Those connectors are typically made with one end that can be crimped/soldered to the wire (wire is first pushed thru the connector) and have a raised piece that locks into the connector once the wire is pulled back. There are special tools (often a tiny screwdriver will do) to disengage that lock (google "wiring pin removal tool") so the connector can be removed. The connectors can be purchased separately or sometimes preinstalled on a piece of wire. In fact I wonder if the spare wire that comes with a new fuel filter head has the proper pin connector. If so someone who just got a new fuel head may have the extra wires. My take home point is if the wiring connectors have issues they can be replaced. If you go that route put the seal back on well lubed with dielectric grease and carefully reassemble the plug.
If #3 doesn't work there may be a forum member that has an extra plug from a trashed vehicle that they can donate to the cause.
Thanks papa.
1. = correct. I suspect the plug didn't seat straight at some point.
2. The pins shouldve been identical. I believe that due to 1. they enlarged since the plug didn't go straight in and all way in, even though as you said, the clip clicked.
3. I will first try fixing the pin connectors and try squizing them a little so they grip properly on the injector connectors. If not sucessfull then I may just buy another plug and replace the old one.
Right now, without the orange ring, I havent had a problem yet. Ill test and see, hopefully I wont have to do anything else.
Thanks for answering!