Coil Pack Wire Connector

SVXonthebrain · #1 12-07-2008, 07:07 PM

Ok....after spending what has seemed to be hours trying to get the connector for the coil pack "unconnected" and having no success...I have now managed to pull one of the wires out of the connector on the harness side of this extremely, poorly designed connector. What are my options for repair? Should I try soldering the wire back into the connector? ( yeah...right....like there's enough room to get a soldering iron in there). Or should i drive this thing into a ditch and walk away from it. Seriously....were the engineers for this car known drug abusers???? Were they paid by the complexity degree? Quite possibly the worst car I've ever owned.....................but the one I love the most. What's up with that???? Anyway, suggestions, tips or prayers appreciated!

ssnsltd · #2 12-07-2008, 07:15 PM

I almost did the same thing on my 94, lucky for me the metal connections came out of the plastic connector/ housing, and they snapped right back in.

so- if you finish getting the connection apart, you can get the metal connector out and solder/crimp the connection again then put it back in.

as to how to get the thing apart correctly in the first place- I leave that to someone with a bigger clue, sorry

redlightningsvx · #3 12-07-2008, 07:16 PM

Just slide the metal connector out of the plastic clip and recrimp it. Use a saftey pin to push out the metal connector.

Hocrest · #4 12-07-2008, 07:23 PM

To get the connector apart, rather than push in on the lock tab, you need to pull it up with your fingernail or a small screwdriver.

SVXonthebrain · #5 12-07-2008, 08:03 PM

Yeah, I tried pushing on the clip....lifting the clip, with and without a small screwdriver. Once I get the damn thing apart...I will use all the great suggestions I have received so far. Thanks!

Wikedjuggalo · #6 12-07-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVXonthebrain

Yeah, I tried pushing on the clip....lifting the clip, with and without a small screwdriver. Once I get the damn thing apart...I will use all the great suggestions I have received so far. Thanks!

Could always call OT a million and 1/2 times like I did

Manarius · #7 12-07-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hocrest

To get the connector apart, rather than push in on the lock tab, you need to pull it up with your fingernail or a small screwdriver.

Small screwdriver is how I did it as well.

Freeman · #8 12-08-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikedjuggalo

Could always call OT a million and 1/2 times like I did

Lol!! That's what I do..

David Cohen · #9 01-03-2009, 01:34 AM

Aaaauuuugh!

I'm trying to diagnose a misfire in the middle cylinder on the driver's side, but I can't figure out how to release the electrical connectors for the driver's side coil packs! I know this question has been asked before, but I can't find an answer anywhere.

I've replaced a passenger side coil pack before; although I remember the connectors being somewhat aggravating, I could actually reach them on that side. Now I can't even see the male end of a connector, let alone the little tab I need to pull in order to release it. Not to mention that I'd need to then somehow pull the two ends apart, and find a way to get the female end (the end that runs to the coil pack) detached from the back of the engine block.

Please help me figure this out. Thanks.

ssnsltd · #10 01-03-2009, 08:07 AM

I just replaced #5 (back left passenger side) It s harder to see the passenger side connector block.

I took out the airbox, removed the coil, then stuck/wedged a small screwdriver in the connector "clip" and pulled on the coil & wire. that worked for me.

kwren · #11 01-03-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Cohen

Aaaauuuugh!

I'm trying to diagnose a misfire in the middle cylinder on the driver's side.

Did you get a code for the diagnosis?
Thanks,
Keith

David Cohen · #12 01-03-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssnsltd

I just replaced #5 (back left passenger side) It s harder to see the passenger side connector block.

Hmm. Maybe the previous owner messed with the passenger side coilpacks, because I can get to their connectors—they aren't in a block.

Quote:

I took out the airbox, removed the coil, then stuck/wedged a small screwdriver in the connector "clip" and pulled on the coil & wire. that worked for me.

I've tried pulling on the connector while holding the long thin clip (on the side next to the engine) toward the connector body, using pliers to yank on it and trying again using a screwdriver wedged into there while I tried to get it to move by hand. No luck so far.

Thanks.

David Cohen · #13 01-03-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwren

Did you get a code for the diagnosis?
Thanks,
Keith

No, not yet. When it suddenly started running roughly I realized it was missing on one cylinder, so I pulled the fuel injector plugs one at a time and identified the culprit. With the injector plugged in, I can smell unburned gasoline in the exhaust, so I think it's working (although I imagine the unplugging will cause each of them to throw a code now!). I've got a spare coil here that I think works, so I figured it makes sense to see if switching it in solves the problem. It would be an easy thing to try, except for this connector that's kicking my ass....

Today I'll try figuring out how to read codes. I've read the how-to documents, it doesn't sound hard.

kwren · #14 01-03-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Cohen

No, not yet. When it suddenly started running roughly I realized it was missing on one cylinder, so I pulled the fuel injector plugs one at a time and identified the culprit. With the injector plugged in, I can smell unburned gasoline in the exhaust, so I think it's working (although I imagine the unplugging will cause each of them to throw a code now!). I've got a spare coil here that I think works, so I figured it makes sense to see if switching it in solves the problem. It would be an easy thing to try, except for this connector that's kicking my ass....

Today I'll try figuring out how to read codes. I've read the how-to documents, it doesn't sound hard.

Thanks for the information and... Reading codes is super easy!

Keith

David Cohen · #15 01-03-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Cohen

I've tried pulling on the connector while holding the long thin clip (on the side next to the engine) toward the connector body, using pliers to yank on it and trying again using a screwdriver wedged into there while I tried to get it to move by hand. No luck so far.

Well, I finally got it free by jamming an allen wrench in there to depress the clip or tab, and pulling with the pliers. Success! And it only took me a couple of hours! Grumble.

Plugging in the old known-pretty-good coilpack solved the problem, so it looks like I guessed right. Oddly, I can't see anything wrong with the one that's gone bad (no white lines, no carbon tracks or black deposits, no cracking or broken wires). Oh, well. All I have to do now is decide whether to order a new ignition coil from Subaruparts.com for $76 + s&h + tax = $94, or a used one from Aaron's Wrecking for $40 + tax = $44.