TD4 high pressure sensor cable connector cleaning

Have searched forums, and read up, but could still do with a bit of advice if possible.
From what I read sop far seems to be common problem - driving along and engine goes dead. Nothing. Wait for a while, then will start.
Garage used diagnostic tool, charged £150, and said they didn't know what it was.
Then I got kind of lucky when it cut out and was very hard to start and engine management light came on permanently.
After everything I read I decided it most likely high pressure fuel sensor fault.
Now, before I went to get a new sensor I disconnected the plug and blasted both ends of the connector with contact cleaner, including some scrubbing with toothbrush.
I did this because when I pulled the two bits apart it looked a bit dirty.
After cleaning I put them back together and bingo, the engine management light was no longer on and car ticking over fine, and fine for short test journey.

Question is: is it certain the fault was in the cable connecter, and second, is it possible the cleaning didn't do anything but that when I put them back together I temporarily got a good connection again?
Real question is, has anyone permanently fixed this particular problem just by cleaning the contacts?

MGT said:

Real question is, has anyone permanently fixed this particular problem just by cleaning the contacts?

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LR supply an overlay harness to fix the problem. They wouldn't go to the trouble of making up that harness, if just a quick clean or re-seat of the connection was the cure.

Nodge68 said:

LR supply an overlay harness to fix the problem. They wouldn't go to the trouble of making up that harness, if just a quick clean or re-seat of the connection was the cure.

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Yes, fair comment. Got told symptom could be harness or sensor. Guess I wil have to do both. Idiot question: any idea what size socket to get sensor off?