This guy tears down what I think is your tranny. 8HP70? You don't mention the transmission model.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPjTY1KOmL8
In your second pic, there is a grey metal "tab" held with a fastener. Remove it, the tab can be pulled down. In the vid, it looks just under the sleeve. It is around 7:30 in the vid.
I have nothing for the connector issue.. :-(. Good luck!!