Hi All,

I was replacing my valve cover today and realized the last time I replaced the gasket, I accidentally overtorqued the valve bolt that connects to the ground wire. Upon removing the bolt associated with the ground wire, the circular “ground” section ripped off. See pictures below for the aftermath.

This mess is 100% on me and my amateur mechanic mishap, but how much trouble am I in here? I didn’t start the car and don’t plan too until I can safely ground the coil pack wiring.

Any help is so much appreciated. Thanks all.



Where the circular coil pack ground wire portion ripped off.

Where the circular coil pack ground wire section goes in between.

Nut that closes down over the circular coil pack ground wire section.

 

Same thing happened when I removed the nut with a cordless screwdriver. Luckily the wire was long enough to be crimped, sleeved and re-attached. Started up fine afterwards and didn't throw a code (I had not disconnected the battery before I started working on the valve cover).

Make sure that the wire ends are properly crimped and use a crimp tool for that, not regular pliers!

 

Thanks giorgos! The picture below is what I have on hand! Any first time crimping advice besides disconnecting the battery? I should be okay because it’s a ground wire, but I feel like I should still disconnect it - thanks a ton for your help.

 

I used F-crimp type pliers for non-insulated connections (e.g.: sample pliers) along with heat-shrink tubing. Barrel type crimps such as yours are less sturdy, the electrical connection is (usually) worse and, most importantly, cannot be visually inspected after being crimped.

Disconnecting the battery shouldn't be needed (I didn't), but it's no harm either.

 

what size and kind of ring terminal did you use. Please help. I want to get the right ring terminal size and what gauge is the negative wire. Doing this myself