ECHLIN INC.       [LOGO]                                               EXHIBIT 5

100 Double Beach Road
Branford, CT  06405





                                                              April 9, 1997



Echlin Inc.
100 Double Beach Road
Branford, CT  06405

Gentlemen:

         In connection with the  registration  under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended,  of 250,000 shares of common stock, one dollar ($1.00) par value, of
Echlin Inc., a Connecticut  corporation  ("Echlin"),  to be offered  pursuant to
Echlin's  1996  Non-Executive  Director  Stock Option Plan, I have examined such
corporate records and other documents,  including the registration  statement on
Form S-8, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  relating to
such shares (the  "Registration  Statement"),  and have reviewed such matters of
law as I have deemed necessary for this opinion.  Based on such  examination,  I
advise you that in my opinion:

         1.       Echlin is a corporation  duly organized and existing under the
                  laws of the State of Connecticut.

         2.       All necessary  corporate action on the part of Echlin has been
                  taken to authorize the  registration of shares of common stock
                  by Echlin, and when issued as contemplated in the Registration
                  Statement,  such shares will be legally issued, fully paid and
                  nonassessable.

         I  consent  to  the  filing  of  this  opinion  as an  exhibit  to  the
Registration Statement.

                                                              Very truly yours,

                                                           /s/ Jon P. Leckerling
                                                        ------------------------

                                                              Jon P. Leckerling

:jea