Help! How critical are the latches on coil packs?

[Por_sha911]

Went to change the plugs on a Hyundai and the latches that snap the connector to the coil pack are just breaking right off. The connectors are coming off and go back on correctly but there is nothing to lock them in place. How critical are that they lock down? I really wouldn't know how to replace the connectors.

[Rick Lee]

If they're anything like the cheap, brittle plastic ones BMW is using now, AFAIK, they only help keep the electrical plug in place. Obviously, you'll be in trouble if that electrical plug comes loose, but but I think that's all they do. You could probably zip tie it down and just cut and replace next time you need to R&R the plug (not spark plug).

[Por_sha911]

Cheap brittle plastic is it for sure. I'm just wondering if anyone has just left the clip off and kept going without problems.

[aschen]

broke 2 of them on my subaru recently. I zip tied the first, but just left the second. Its been fine for a few hundred miles. There is quite a bit of resistance so I think it will be fine. They actually sell new connectors on amazon for subarus, might look if they have them for Hyundais as well. I would have ordered them but the second connector is buried so deep Im not sure how Id ever solder/crimp there.

[VincentVega]

I zip tie them

[Por_sha911]

Vincent: how long have you had yours that way?

[sammyg2]

About a hundred feet.








I crack me up.

[asphaltgambler]

Yes - zip ties, make sure you use the correct size.

[Por_sha911]

Correct size zip tie? Maybe I'm missing something. Please explain.

[fastfredracing]

The joys of working on modern vehicles. A flippin sea of cheap plastic fasteners, and connectors. 50% of what you disconnect, you will have to replace because it crumbles in your hands .
Zip ties

[asphaltgambler]

There are various widths, use something in the 1/8" width range

[VincentVega]

x100

I had a few on my track car, put them on customer cars if they dont want to replace the coil. Not sure if its sad the connectors break or good that the coil packs last so long. Same result, plastic + heat + age = zip ties.

Usually the harness will lay in place, just make sure there isnt load on the connection/wire. Zip tie the lead to take any stress off the connection then one on the connection to make sure. Not pretty but gets it done.

[Por_sha911]

Thanks to everyone for the info. Has anyone replaced the connectors? Seems like no easy task.

[manbridge 74]

I wouldn’t replace connectors on an ignition component unless as a last resort. Many ways to secure these. A small zip tie is plenty.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Zip ties FTW! You can replace the connector but it typically requires a special tool to remove the old pin and reinstall it into the new connector. Sometimes you can make it work with a small screwdriver depending on the connector.

[manbridge 74]

Yeah, you need a push-pin set for all the different sizes. I assumed he didn’t have one.

[sc_rufctr]