Coil Pack help!

[dennisA4]

Why is it every time I think I'm doing something quick and simple it turns into a major deal?
This morning I wanted to check my spark plugs. So I did.
And now I can't get 3 of the 4 coil packs to properly *click* into the harness.
Luckily they are in enough that the car is driveable and no codes so I assume it's making an ok connection, but why won't they click in?!
When removing them, I used a wide flathead screwdriver to pull on the clips (towards the passenger side of the car) until they clicked out.
Any ideas???

[Fastbke170]

Why is it every time I think I'm doing something quick and simple it turns into a major deal?
This morning I wanted to check my spark plugs. So I did.
And now I can't get 3 of the 4 coil packs to properly *click* into the harness.
Luckily they are in enough that the car is driveable and no codes so I assume it's making an ok connection, but why won't they click in?!
When removing them, I used a wide flathead screwdriver to pull on the clips (towards the passenger side of the car) until they clicked out.
Any ideas???

Changed my Plugs a few months ago with a Mechanic friend of mine and had the same issue. He actually wound up plugging in all 4 packs to harness rack first then seating the packs down on to plugs. Going to change over soon to the R8 Packs Soon so I will be using this method. Good Luck !

[dennisA4]

Changed my Plugs a few months ago with a Mechanic friend of mine and had the same issue. He actually wound up plugging in all 4 packs to harness rack first then seating the packs down on to plugs. Going to change over soon to the R8 Packs Soon so I will be using this method. Good Luck !

ok, i kinda tried that real quick but will try again later.
It's so weird because I've pushed and pushed and pushed and just can't seem to get it to catch.
Very frustrating!


BTW, all my plugs are still gapped at .028 and look like this... these still look ok?

[shayan_a4]

Changed my Plugs a few months ago with a Mechanic friend of mine and had the same issue. He actually wound up plugging in all 4 packs to harness rack first then seating the packs down on to plugs. Going to change over soon to the R8 Packs Soon so I will be using this method. Good Luck !

thats how i did it lol

[kt883]

just changed a buddies B7 and had the exact same problem, Turns out the tab on the harness was broken but still holding in place so it wouldn't lock and as soon as I looked at it I noticed it was cracked and hanging by a thread. He will need to repair the harness with a new connector

[Bruce G.]

I had the same issue, I actually though I was being a dumb a$@ not being able to remove the coil pack harness. On thing to mention, it was freezing and windy when I changed mine so the plastic clips were too brittle and hard to want to unclip. Also there is a bolt between the 1 and 2nd cylinder closest to the front of the car that you'll want to remove. And each cylinder have 2 small connectors behind the coil harness above the exhause manifold that can be disconnected to make it easier to move the harness assembally out the way. Be carefull with those little injectors because they bend easily.

[Fastbke170]

ok, i kinda tried that real quick but will try again later.
It's so weird because I've pushed and pushed and pushed and just can't seem to get it to catch.
Very frustrating!


BTW, all my plugs are still gapped at .028 and look like this... these still look ok?

Honestly they look like they are burning Fine, I Changed mine at 35K and still have them here on my desk at work. OEM VAG Plugs, they are a bit more Tan then yours are. I have the New PFR7S8EG gapped at .032 and with a New Tune its running pretty sweet.

[dennisA4]

just changed a buddies B7 and had the exact same problem, Turns out the tab on the harness was broken but still holding in place so it wouldn't lock and as soon as I looked at it I noticed it was cracked and hanging by a thread. He will need to repair the harness with a new connector

Yeah, I've noticed a lot of these little clips are terribly brittle/easy to break.
These in particular are wiggling around a little but I don't believe they are broken. Hope not anyway.

I had the same issue, I actually though I was being a dumb a$@ not being able to remove the coil pack harness. On thing to mention, it was freezing and windy when I changed mine so the plastic clips were too brittle and hard to want to unclip. Also there is a bolt between the 1 and 2nd cylinder closest to the front of the car that you'll want to remove. And each cylinder have 2 small connectors behind the coil harness above the exhause manifold that can be disconnected to make it easier to move the harness assembally out the way. Be carefull with those little injectors because they bend easily.

Ya, i got it all disconnected, its getting it back together that is the problem. ;)

[dennisA4]

Honestly they look like they are burning Fine, I Changed mine at 35K and still have them here on my desk at work. OEM VAG Plugs, they are a bit more Tan then yours are. I have the New PFR7S8EG gapped at .032 and with a New Tune its running pretty sweet.

Yep these are the exact same ones I have.
But I had re-gapped them down to .028 because I'm a little modified. Should I have left them at .032?
I'm getting some crazy bad gas mileage which is one reason I was checking on things.

[Bruce G.]

I didnt have an issue getting everything back together. Only one of my coils clicked when connected but I was confident that they all were secure. The annoying part is the harness's reluctance to move and be manipulated.

[Fastbke170]

Yep these are the exact same ones I have.
But I had re-gapped them down to .028 because I'm a little modified. Should I have left them at .032?
I'm getting some crazy bad gas mileage which is one reason I was checking on things.

My Commute is about 76 Miles and I've Averaged as high as 35 and with all mods now 33 depending on traffic.

I remember a day after I purchased the car I had a PO299 ( Low Boost) Code. Wound up being a Bad Turbo which was warrantied. My MPG sucked that week. Recently installed FMIC and while driving to work an Upper Intercooler Hose Blew off due to using the wrong style clamp. I was only a mile from work, No Code but just that short drive from Lugging Motor under No Boost Killed my Gas Milage obviously.

Not Sure What your mileage on the car is but I would check intercooler Hoses, maybe your diverter valve is leaking?

[Lambda13]

I don't think you are supposed to pry the clips on the coils. I just pushed mine in and then they fully released.

[dennisA4]

My Commute is about 76 Miles and I've Averaged as high as 35 and with all mods now 33 depending on traffic.

I remember a day after I purchased the car I had a PO299 ( Low Boost) Code. Wound up being a Bad Turbo which was warrantied. My MPG obviously sucked that week. Recently installed FMIC and while driving to work an Upper Intercooler Hose Blew off due to using the wrong style clamp. I was only a mile from work, No Code but just that short drive from Lugging Motor under No Boost Killed my Gas Milage obviously.

Not Sure What your mileage on the car is but I would check intercooler Hoses, maybe your diverter valve is leaking?

That used to be my commute (total both ways) and I averaged 26 mpg. Now I'm only 6.5 miles from work on a 35mph road with 16 lights one direction (I get stopped at maybe half of them) and driving like grandma most of the time I get 17 mpg.
My wife with a lead foot in her Volvo XC60 gets 22 mpg with almost the same kind of commute.

I don't think you are supposed to pry the clips on the coils. I just pushed mine in and then they fully released.

Sorry, I pulled back on the clips to REMOVE them. Now I'm just pushing and squeezing for all I'm worth trying to get those suckers to snap back together.

[Lambda13]

Sorry, I pulled back on the clips to REMOVE them. Now I'm just pushing and squeezing for all I'm worth trying to get those suckers to snap back together.

No worries, but ya that's what I meant. I had to push mine in FURTHER to release the clip, then I was able to wiggle them out pretty effortlessly. Then when I pushed the harness back in they all popped in pretty easy.

[dennisA4]

Ah, gotcha!
Well if I ever get these clipped back in, I'll try that next time.

BTW, you said "full release".

[kt883]

These coil harnesses are poorly designed. The bmw e90 coil design is a much better design IMO. The coilpack has a swinging handle with latch which once lifted, swings around and spits the harness off the plug and can also be used as a grip with a hole for your finger. That latch locks the harness in place with an audible click when shut as well. If you do break the handle, you can replace that part in seconds for cheap.