I finally got ahold of cookshack and the guy suggested pulling the back off (instead of the top). The connector was being crowded by the insulation and there was not quite enough stress relief in the wires, which were both easily fixed after I opened it up. I really did not want to send it back. they are going to hear about it on the registration, though. when you get the Cadillac, you don't expect to be making repairs on the way home.
Now for that pork butt!