Feel REALLY stupid asking this, but.... I plugged in an OBD2 cable (other end is usb to laptop running techstream... which didn't recognise the car anyway, but that's another issue)... and, try as hard as I might, I can't pull the damn OBD2 out of the Prius connector. I'm scared I'm going to pull the Prius connector off with it, it's so damn tight. Is there a catch to push in on the Prius connector? I can't feel anything that sticks out (or in).
It should be just pin friction. Try prying one edge, without pushing your pry tool in too far, to where you contact a pin.
Not normally, should just pull straight out. Maybe a pin got bent when you plugged it in and it is now jammed in? Would explain why you couldn't connect to the car too. The QA on some of these knock off cables leaves something to be desired.
Some of them have a clip built into the short edge of the trapezoidal-shaped connector that I have heard some folks trim/break off to prevent it from grabbing. It hasn't been a problem for me, but I worried about it the first time or two I used the cable. That said, I think the bent pin suggestion is another likely cause. Good luck and let us know what you find.
I used a cautery to cut the clip off the short side of the cable plug. Used a mirror to see what I was doing. No amount of force worked. Dealer also could not remove. Now slides easily. Bill
