Toyota / Lexus Ignition Coil Connector Replacement

This video documents steps I've taken to replace the broken tab of the ignition coil connector on 2006 Lexus GS300, but same procedure should work on most of the Toyota and Lexus cars.
I verified that this connector (part #90980-11885) fits both 2006 Lexus GS300 and 2009 Toyota Venza 2.7L cars.

[@worldcrafter]

“Don’t feel bad, it’s probably not you” LOL I broke the connector with the slightest push! Good thing the dealer recommended I get a connector when I bought an ignition coil. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Yup they break with very little pressure. Hopefully, they can come up with a better material to use. :-)

[@ThomasHolland-mm5qf]

This guy is an engineer not just a mechanic! Awesome video and best way to repair the connectors which will fail because Lexus uses cheap plastic instead of durable rubber which can withstand the constant heat cycles of an internal combustion engine. If everything on Lexus engines was made from heat resistant rubber they would go 600,000 miles instead of 400,000 easy. Great engines Lexus, but why the cheap plastic connectors? Major design flaw - minus 500 cool points. PeanutButterMan - plus 500 cool points! TVH

[@DIYLifeSkills]

This same problem has been around for over 20 years and I’m quite surprised that quality focused Lexus/Toyota has not improved this part. Thanks for the feedback.

[@JeffEhorn]

Great video - very clear explanation as well as very clear camera work to show the steps close up. One tip to not mix up wire order is to take a "before" photo, or even swap them over to the new connector one at a time.

[@allanfischer9417]

Nice camera work on the wire removal section!! The viewer can really see what you are doing - I have watched a bunch of these and the video on this is the best I have seen - also well explained!!

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Thanks for the compliment and encouragement to do more videos like this.

[@dekalogue]

Thank you for making this. In my 19 year old four cylinder Toyota, the connectors with the black clips broke, the ones with white clips did not break. Might be the dye making them ever so slightly more prone to breaking.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Interesting observation. I’ve seen both black and grey color connectors equally break on older Toyota and Lexus, but I’ve not come across white ones yet. I think it’s a design flaw. They’ve used the same connector design for nearly 20 years. And only failure is the locking tab. I think they should improve the locking tab design so that it’s more simple and durable. Only good thing is aftermarket replacement parts are so cheap.

[@meazi01]

Very good video and you showing very simple ways, also I like how zoomed the camera. Thanks 🙏

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Thanks for the kind feedback. :-)

[@mattmccarty72]

Great informative video.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Glad it was helpful!

[@caseymyhro3769]

I just glued the piece back on. It seemed to work. Just in case it doesn't hold, I also zip tied it as well. The wires will be covered by the engine plastic cover, so you can't see the zip tie. It definitely looks tacky with a zip tie holding the wire firmly in place 😅

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Zip tie can hold for a long time. Since the replacement connectors were cheap, I replaced them.

[@alexadjekum1543]

Thank you

[@HTX-pk6mu]

Does anybody know where I can find this type of connector but for an 08 GS460? I can't seem to find any part number on Google

[@DIYLifeSkills]

This sample connector is used in so many Lexus and Toyota that highly likely it’s the same one in the video. However, you can check my other video that shows you how to find the part number directly from your connector. It’s small and hard to notice but numbers are there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJnTXniEq7Odm5I

[@abuami6514]

where to get connector for Toyota Solara vvt-i 16 valve 2.4 engine

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Once I get the part number, I buy it directly from local touts dealer. After market parts do not last as long as OEM and these connectors are cheap.

[@lindam4242]

Hi, do the wires have to be exactly in order of the holes and they can be in any hole? thanks

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Wire sequence MUST be same. Don’t get them mixed up.

[@pirihern9329]

This is very helpful. I suggest to take a picture with your iPhone

[@CharlieeBoi]

But what about for a 1uzfe

[@DIYLifeSkills]

I searched that part and it looks identical to this car and has same part number. You might want to call Toyota/Lexus dealer and ask for part number and price for your car and see if if matches the part number I show in this video. If so, it might be much cheaper to buy from Amazon like me.

[@user-ts7gr8vq6p]

Thank you very much!!!

[@paulc2548]

Toyota should redesign their ignition connectors :(... every Toyota cars and trucks over 5 years old had this issue where the clip or the whole connector housing just broke to piece when press to release it from the coil :(.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

No doubt, they are too fragile, and they are not cheap at $10 to $15 if you get OEM replacement. I think the heat from the engine is contributing to premature weakening of these plastics.

[@jamram9924]

When you remove these connectors, use silicone spray first and then use compressed air. This helps libro she the contact surfaces and eases in the removal. In addition, use a small pick or small flat tipped screw drives to assist to lifting the tab instead of relying on the plastic end to lift the tab on the short end. Patience is key in removing these connectors. Every automotive manufacturer uses a plastic type connector.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Excellent suggestions if it’s still in good condition, but in the 2009 Venza with 180K miles, the ignition connectors were literally crumbling into pieces.

[@paulc2548]

@@DIYLifeSkills I was able to replace all the front coil connectors (not the back ones!)...follow the instruction :). Thanks.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

@@paulc2548 Great job!

[@truedogg323]

Will broken connectors cause a misfire code?

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Yes if the connectors are not able to maintain tight connection. Try zip tying it tightly.

[@danhectic5629]

just bought an avalon that had a squirrel nest all up in the wires- and it nibbled one of the wires a bit. stupid varmint...

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Oh no, I only heard of that happening, but it's real. Darn.

[@missymarie2698]

I am so confused. These aren’t meant to just strip and connect directly? Without having to remove all the tabs?

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Alternatively You can splice the wires and connect them, but it won’t have a clean finish as you’ll have to solder the wires or use butt connectors to connect spliced wires. The method I described just replaces connector end which gives you clean original looking finish look.

[@missymarie2698]

@@DIYLifeSkills yes! Thank you! I can just crimp them together with that blue piece yeah?? It doesn’t HAVE to be soldered right? Sorry for all of the questions but I’m going to have to do this myself because the other 2 “mechanics’ ended damaging my car worse than it was originally. 🥹

[@DIYLifeSkills]

@@missymarie2698 Yes, you can crimp wires together. Just wrap it with high temperature electrical tape to not expose any wires.

[@missymarie2698]

@@DIYLifeSkills omg, thank you! I almost just used one of them blue connector things!