anatomy of a Beru spark plug connector

[jkeyzer]

What they didn't teach you in Biology class:

[Steve W]

Man, the information on this site just never stops. I learn something new everyday.

[Doug Zielke]

Excellent work, Mr. Keyzer!!

[KTL]

So, I assume the part of the connector that has been known to be troublesome/fail is the resistive coil?

Thanks for the cutaway view!

[pwd72s]

Thanks Jeff! Always wondered what they looked like inside...

[jkeyzer]

I am not 100% sure, but I speculate what causes these connectors to become intermittent are the spring loaded connections between each of the pieces. Nothing is soldered together so if a small amount of moisture gets in there all of the contact surfaces are going to oxidize a little bit and start making poor electrical connections. Because it's all held together by a spring, vibrations can cause the pieces to shift around slightly and possibly give erratic results. The coils themselves tested ok on both of the Berus I took apart.

[CamB]

How did you cut the thing open?

I have a coupla bad ones at home and wouldn't mind pulling them apart to try and find the problem.

Cam

[jkeyzer]

You can slice them open with a dremel tool. We sliced one side mostly open with the dremel and then squished the connector in a vice to split it open. Watch out for flying parts.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Looks like ssomething from a Model A, or maybe a Farmall tractor. Makes me all the happier to be using Magnecor connectors.

Stephan

[jkeyzer]

Me too. No silly connectors, no silly grounded braid. They just work.