new plugs & coil connectors

[Russell]

Replaced my Bosch plugs this weekend after 30,000 miles with Bosch Super Plus. The old plugs looked fine, just wear.

However, I did replace my coil to spark plug connectors with new Bremi connectors I got from BMA. Big diffference. the car runs smoother and has much more low to mid range power. Better than just changing the plugs last time. I suspect the old connectors just got tired. Any thoughts/idea?

[yaofeng]

Could you provide a link to the connector? I have no idea what you are talking about. I though the coils connect to the wiring harness with nothing in between.

[Russell]

I did not make my self clear. It is the rubber connector from the plug to the coil. see item 3 in the Realoem diagram.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD63&mospid=47404&btnr=12_0425&hg=12&fg=05&hl=6

[TC535i]

So you didn't change the coil pack, but just the rubber connecting neck?? I can't see how that would affect it, unless it was REALLY screwed up, corroded, bad connection, etc...

[Russell]

My thoughts as well. However, when I pulled the old connectors off the coils, some felt softer than others. One of the inner cores pulled out of the rubber insulator. After all they were 12 years old. I understand they can just become "tired".

Also, the resistance appeared to be about 1.7 ohms on most of them, one was about 1.6 ohms. The new ones measured about 1,8 or 1.9 ohms per my new Sears digital multimeter. Have no idea what that means, execpt the resistance of the new connectors was slightly higher. DUH.

[TC535i]

Hm... maybe you were grounding out thru cracks in the rubber? Like a bad plug wire, I guess...

[pingu]

Maybe the old "tired" connectors had some hairline cracks that were allowing the high voltage to track along the connectors instead of going straight to the spark plug?

The resistance differences you measured are just due to the variation in contact resistance between the leads of your digital multimeter (DMM) and the connectors - without fancy kit, you can't really measure resistance to 0.1 ohm accuracy. Also, it's quite common for HT leags to have kilo ohms of series resistance (in order to reduce interference to radios). Thus even resistance differences much larger than just an ohm or so wouldn't have affected the spark.

[whiskychaser]

Maybe the springs in the old ones were weak/broken and not making proper contact with the plugs?

[JD525IA]

Real OEM says about $15 ea.

Inquiring minds want to know.

JD

[Morgenster]

Pelican parts lists them at 7$.
What I'm wondering about is if you can just interchange these connectors on bosch and bremi coils?
I remember reading somewhere that the connectors have different resistance readings and should be match to the same make of coil.

Also, just out of curiosity I once tried to disconnect the connector from the coil on every coil I have and they either won't move or they turn but don't disengage, so how do you disconnect the properly?

[Ferret]

Real OEM says about $15 ea.

Inquiring minds want to know.

JD

Last time I checked, ECP were selling off coil packs with new rubber bits for just £18 each.

[whiskychaser]

Last time I checked, ECP were selling off coil packs with new rubber bits for just £18 each.
Dont need coil packs at the moment. But wouldnt mind details for future ref. You have a link for lazy people?:)

[Tiger]

Autohausaz.com has them for $5.66 each Bremi.

[Tiger]

$7.28 at bma.

[whiskychaser]

$7.28 at bma.
Was asking as Ferret is same side of the pond as me. Think he means Euro Car Parts but maybe he's keeping his suppliers secret:)

[Russell]

call Patrick at BMA, the price might be lower for Bremi.

[Russell]

Thanks- I think i understood you :)

[Morgenster]

Pelican parts lists them at 7$.
What I'm wondering about is if you can just interchange these connectors on bosch and bremi coils?
I remember reading somewhere that the connectors have different resistance readings and should be matched to the same make of coil.

Also, just out of curiosity I once tried to disconnect the connector from the coil on every coil I have and they either won't move or they turn but don't disengage, so how do you disconnect the coil properly?

Any takers?

[Russell]

mine just pulled right off. some were tighter than others.

[Morgenster]

mine just pulled right off. some were tighter than others.

So if I try this there's non way it could break into pieces? Cause mine are extremely tight.

[Russell]

The coils are thick hard plastic. The connectors are rubber with a press in connector on the coil. Very much like a traditional coil. I just do not see how you can damage the coil. Howeve,r I would not use hard tools to remove them. Twist and pull seems to work.