Some progress - little plastic clip needed

[Simpo Two]

Readers may remember my DB9 with a misfire...

One of the coilpacks (at the rear in the photo) is missing the little black plastic clip on top. It's part of the wiring harness which costs £4K, so I'm keen to find just the clip from somewhere... RS Components has been suggested - anywhere else? Or perhaps someone has a gash wiring harness for spares?

All straws clutched at!

[JonnyCJ]

Hmmm looks like you need a specialist automotive connector

Try https://www.automotiveconnectors.com/all-products....

Ping them an email with a pic

[Simpo Two]

Thanks; have done (no pic as there's not an option).

I ended up talking to the legendary Mike who says it's a generic part, probably Delphi or Bosch. I've scoured RS but no joy. Interestingly he said you could avoid the risk of bits of primary cat going into the cylinder by just removing it (the cylinder not the cat). Let's hope the clip fixes it because labour at £150ph is getting tiresome.

[CAPP0]

I recall you saying the car was your daily driver? I appreciate it's not a very "premium vehicle" solution but can you not rig some fine cable ties between the wires on one side and around the housing on the other, to hold it in place, whilst you seek a suitable replacement? That would also verify whether this is the source of the misfire?

[Simpo Two]

CAPP0 said:

I recall you saying the car was your daily driver? I appreciate it's not a very "premium vehicle" solution but can you not rig some fine cable ties between the wires on one side and around the housing on the other, to hold it in place, whilst you seek a suitable replacement? That would also verify whether this is the source of the misfire?

If a clip can't be found (and I'm jolly well not paying £4K for one), then a creative answer will be required.

The snag for many cunning plans with this engine is the inlet manifolds. To take them off, twiddle something underneath and replace them so you can see if you fixed it, is three hours a side at £150ph. Oh and manifold gaskets at £240 a pair, can't re-use them you know. I don't want to go through that more than once. Furthermore I gave the job to a reputable Aston specialist because they're supposed to know how to fix these things... I could do with some good luck for a change on this car.

[john ryan]

What about 3D printing? This might be a suitable candidate.

[Simpo Two]

It crossed my mind. But the plastic would have to be suitable for the conditions, and even if it was, somebody would have go to the car, borrow a clip, take it home, make a copy, go back to the garage... I'm 45 miles away and have no transport.

But if anyone has a clip to copy and a 3D printer with suitable substrate and can get it in the post tomorrow, yes please

[EVR]

The chap selling on eBay those 3D printed plugs might be of help, maybe?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[CAPP0]

Is the clip not part of the original casting on the connector and thus snapped off? In which case I'm not sure how you would add a clip, whether from 3D printing or not?

It's almost certainly a generic connector from somewhere. I recall many many years ago finding a company who did deal in automotive connectors or all sorts, I think they were in the North West. If you can find one then you have enough cable there to cut back and solder/heatshrink new sections into the new connector.

[ctdctd]

You can get a loom on the Bay of e and steal a complete connector or three...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373761774680

[Simpo Two]

ctdctd said:

You can get a loom on the Bay of e and steal a complete connector or three...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373761774680

Looks like the earlier 2-pin loom to me, but a good idea. Still rankles paying £250 for a plastic clip!

Don't miss tomorrow's exciting episode... let's hope Stratton have had an idea.

[guards red]

If you look carefully at the connector you may find the manufacturer's details cast into the plastic. With that, Google it and look at the images. I suspect they will be fitted to other makes & marques.

You may be able to replace the whole connector with a pin removal tool.

[Simpo Two]

guards red said:

If you look carefully at the connector you may find the manufacturer's details cast into the plastic. With that, Google it and look at the images. I suspect they will be fitted to other makes & marques.

You may be able to replace the whole connector with a pin removal tool.

Good idea; I'll forward it on.

If I was there I could solder it myself and add some heat-shrink tubing. Presume solder won't melt with the engine heat?

[JonnyCJ]

Solder melts at around 270c for audio component quality, other stuff is higher, but in this case I’d use a pin removal tool and fit a new connector.

They’re only pennies, it’s just finding the right one.

If you know who made your coil pack it’ll give you a pointer to the connector.

Some ringing round the various technical departments tomorrow should get it sorted I reckon.

[LooneyTunes]

Simpo Two said:

says it's a generic part, probably Delphi or Bosch.

Delphi and Bosch mainly make systems. The connectors will almost certainly be made by someone like Molex.

I’d try looking at somewhere like:
https://www.simtekuk.co.uk/index.php/automotive_co...
https://www.autoelectricalpartsuk.co.uk/automotive...

Or maybe give Molex a call. Certainly used to be the case that component manufacturers had help desks with geeks possessing encyclopaedic knowledge of their parts to help customers ID parts.

Edited by LooneyTunes on Wednesday 1st December 06:38

[V8V Pete]

Simpo Two said:

If I was there I could solder it myself and add some heat-shrink tubing. Presume solder won't melt with the engine heat?

I thought the reason everything on cars is crimped/pinned is because solder fractures/fails with the vibrations in cars and is therefore unsuitable.

[JonnyCJ]

Is this the chap but in 3 pin configuration? It’s specifically a coil pack connector https://www.automotiveconnectors.com/ls1-6-coil-pa...

Edited by JonnyCJ on Wednesday 1st December 08:59

[LTP]

V8V Pete said:

I thought the reason everything on cars is crimped/pinned is because solder fractures/fails with the vibrations in cars and is therefore unsuitable.

I don't think you're right on this; many years ago I was involved in the manufacture of military radios and weapon control systems and they were all soldered, both hand and wave (but, as I say, this was many years ago).

I suspect the move away from solder is more to do with the ability to automate the manufacture of wiring looms and avoid the need for fume cabinets, cleaning of flux, etc. as well as possibly deskilling the workforce.

[john ryan]

Many harnesses use japanese connectors from Yazaki or Sumitomo Wiring Systems - these might be useful search terms.

[Simpo Two]

LooneyTunes said:

I’d try looking at somewhere like:
https://www.simtekuk.co.uk/index.php/automotive_co...
https://www.autoelectricalpartsuk.co.uk/automotive...

Or maybe give Molex a call. Certainly used to be the case that component manufacturers had help desks with geeks possessing encyclopaedic knowledge of their parts to help customers ID parts.

Thanks very much LT; I've contacted the first two for starters.

JonnyCJ said:

Is this the chap but in 3 pin configuration? It’s specifically a coil pack connector https://www.automotiveconnectors.com/ls1-6-coil-pa...

Nope, sorry but thanks for trying.

john ryan said:

Many harnesses use japanese connectors from Yazaki or Sumitomo Wiring Systems - these might be useful search terms.

Thanks - will try those later.