Ignition Coil Replacement
How are ignition coil issues diagnosed?
For vehicles that use one coil per spark plug: If the engine misfire is only on one cylinder, the components for only that cylinder should be examined. If the coil is suspected, it will be tested and, if faulty, will be replaced.
For older cars, with distributors: One coil will fire multiple spark plugs. If all these plugs are failing, the ignition coil will be suspected and tested.
RepairPal recommendations for ignition coil issues
Proper testing is key — spark plugs, spark plug wires and other components can cause similar symptoms.
Some ignition coils are better than others at generating high-voltage electricity for the spark plugs. Purchasing ignition parts that are built to OEM standards or better is recommended. Using inferior parts may lead to a repeated repair.
Can I replace the ignition coil myself?
Replacing an ignition coil is usually an easy task, and can be done safely by almost anyone as long as precautions are taken against electric shock. In most vehicles, the ignition coil or ignition coils are accessible, and replacing the coil should only take minutes.
In some cases, especially for vehicles with individual coil packs installed on each cylinder, removing the rear coil packs may be difficult. In these scenarios, the engine mounts may even have to be removed to create access. In these cases, we recommend having a professional mechanic do the repair.