Spark cables stuck to distributor Gen3 (1993) Camry 4-cylinder

[fullofzen]

This is a Gen3, 1993 4-cylinder 5sFE. I'm working to install new spark plug cables and am having some difficulty removing any of the cables from the distributor. I can feel that there is a pin that holds the plastic cover over the cable's connector to the distributor, but pushing with all my might doesn't release the plastic cover from the distributor.

Can someone offer some tips? Spent about an hour tugging on those things -- can't get a single of them off.

Thanks, guys.

[bolink654]

Never fooled with a 5s-fe that had a distributor, but on the 98 it has plastic clips holding the wires to the coil(s). Some of them I can pry out with my fingers, but some of them require a flat screwdriver to pop the clip loose. It also helps to push them ON to take the tension off, while also prying the clip open.

[fullofzen]

Originally Posted by bolink654

Never fooled with a 5s-fe that had a distributor, but on the 98 it has plastic clips holding the wires to the coil(s). Some of them I can pry out with my fingers, but some of them require a flat screwdriver to pop the clip loose. It also helps to push them ON to take the tension off, while also prying the clip open.

On these clips -- should I use the screwdriver to pop the clip loose on the distributor side or on the wire side?

I tried the wire side and it's giving me a lot of trouble -- would it be easier to try to pop the clip loose on the distributor side?

[bolink654]

I don't know how they clip onto the dist cap on ones with a distributor...
but looking at this thread DIY: 5sfe Distributor Diagnosis
They work just like the ones on the coils of my 98.

I dunno how to explain... You need to get the flat screwdriver between the "post" on the dist. and the flat bit of the clip and twist the screwdriver.

[fullofzen]

Originally Posted by bolink654

I don't know how they clip onto the dist cap on ones with a distributor...
but looking at this thread DIY: 5sfe Distributor Diagnosis
They work just like the ones on the coils of my 98.

Indeed my distributor looks exactly like that.

Originally Posted by bolink654

I dunno how to explain... You need to get the flat screwdriver between the "post" on the dist. and the flat bit of the clip and twist the screwdriver.

So I ambled out to the driveway this morning with a cup of joe and started fiddling with it after my last post before breakfast.

I eventually settled down to take out the entire air filter assembly and detached it from the throttle body. I have to say that I don't have the slightest idea how anyone would get the spark plug cables out of the distributor cap without taking out the air filter assembly -- there is simply no room to get any kind of leverage on those connectors.

Anyway -- did that and figured out on my own your idea of getting the flat screwdriver between the post on the distributor and the flat bit of the clip and twisted and "levered" on the end of the screwdriver. Well, it didn't come out like you suggested it, but liberated these spark plug cables are -- I ended up just snapping in half the brittle plastic boots of all but one of cables, which made the rest of the job a cinch.

Now here I am with a brand new set of spark plug cables on a 145,000 mile distributor cap and damned if I know how I'm going to detach this brand new $45 set of spark plug cables off the cap without resorting to snapping the boots like I did with the old ones...

Suppose I'll just take this set back to autozone when I do so and get a refund -- it's certainly not my fault that the connectors don't come off without breaking...

[bolink654]

Have you tried yet? Maybe the new plastic clip wont be as brittle as the old ones were?

But yeah, I dunno if it's me or what, but I hate fooling with plug wires unless I've got new bits (plugs, dist cap, whatever) to go with 'em because I seem to screw one up about every other time I do. Last time I messed with the Camry's to change valve cover gasket, one of the steel clips that snap onto the spark plug, stayed on the spark plug. Was able to fix it though.

I have similar luck on my 98 Dodge pickup. Always tearing wires up if I have to fool with 'em. It would likely be different if one had decent access to the damn things.

On my Toyota truck, I never have problems... Of course, everything is super easy to get to.

[fullofzen]

Originally Posted by bolink654

Have you tried yet? Maybe the new plastic clip wont be as brittle as the old ones were?

Have not tried yet -- at the point that I finally finished, I was about 4 hours into a job that was supposed to take an hour maximum.

Originally Posted by bolink654

On my Toyota truck, I never have problems... Of course, everything is super easy to get to.

Funnily enough -- I took a look at a video illustrating a spark plug change-out for my other car -- a Mazda3. Could not possibly be easier:

You Tube

You Tube