Chrysler Repair: 1997 Chrysler LHS coil problem, advance auto parts, 1997 chrysler lhs

Question
Mr. Finston:
I have concluded that the problem is the electrical connector that plugs into the coil pack. The car shut off on me last night, while I was driving. I pulled off of the side of the road, and tried to start it again. The car would not start. I jiggled the electrical connector that plugs into the coil pack. I tried to start the car again, and it started! Finally, I made it home and checked the connection. It looked like it was in place. I barely touched the electrical connecter, and the car just died! I started the car again, and did the same thing. The car shut off again. Do you know where I could possibly find an electrical connector? Advance Auto Parts and Autozone do not have it listed on their site. Is this a dealer part special order?

Thanks,

Josh


Answer
P.S.
The other possibility that I thought of is that the body of the coil is loose at its mounting on the body. The bolts that secure the coil pack to the body are providing the ground for the secondary (spark) side of the coil and if that were loose it would cause the spark to fail when the ground is lost. Wouldn't that be a happy solution to your problem?
Roland



Hi Josh,
I would not expect the mass marketed auto parts store to have the cable. It is specific to the engine (and likely the year of production) and so a new one would probably only be readily available at a Chrysler dealer. It is going to be a cable with plugs at either end that will be available rather than just a plug because it would be difficult to make a set of connections to a new plug that would be as rugged as the factory built design.
An alternative, if a new plug is inordinately expensive, is to go to a pull-it yourself wrecking yard and finding an identical one on a wreck. There will be a difference from year to year so examine your present one before you try to find a replacement (both a new one or a used one).
You might also check the plug and socket of your present one and spray the pins and socket with electical contact cleaner just in case it is merely some dirt or oxidation on one of the internal connections.
Roland