There's little tabs on the crimps that locks together when connected.
Squeezing the sides a little with some pliers then pulling normall works, then just a little nip flat again once apart so it clicks back together.
The switch cover is always a pain. One way to do it is to back the screw out a few turns, then push the ends of the clipsback from behind the machine (hose off). Is fiddly, and I've broken clips before but if your carful it will pop off but stop at the screw rather than fling off somewhere in the garage...
Glad you got it apart anyway!