HOW TO REPLACE AN IGNITION COIL

October 2, 2017

Is your car always having trouble starting? Does it constantly misfire and provides only a fraction of its normal power? A faulty ignition coil might be the culprit of your vehicle’s problems and replacing the ignition coil could be the ultimate solution to your malfunctioning car.

Installing a new ignition coil can be an additional cost, but if you have the appropriate tools and necessary skills, you can replace the ignition coil yourself and save money. Ignition coil may vary for each car engine so make sure to obtain the correct replacement for your vehicle. Here are the guidelines on how you can replace your car’s ignition coil on your own:

Step 1 –Identify if the Ignition Coil is the Root Cause of the Malfunction

Start by checking the resistance of the primary and secondary wires of the ignition coils. To do this, connect the electronic tester to the small wires attached to the coils.If you get a low energy reading this indicates that the ignition coil is no longer producing enough energy to the ignition module which is required for your car to start.

Step 2 –Pulling out the Old Ignition Coil

Disconnect the battery cables from the battery terminal. Unplug the wires that runs to the engine too. Then loosen the screws which hold together all the electrical wiring to the distributor cap. Be careful not to mix up the wires and you may place the screws on a tray so you can keep them intact. After removing the outer casing of the ignition module pull out the ignition coil. The ignition coil should look like a large cylinder that has a cap and two electrical leads at the top.

Step 3 – Check the Ignition Module Carefully

Examine the ignition module for some indications on what could have possibly caused its malfunction. Watch out for any missing, bent, cracked, broken,or twisted electrical wirings and connections as well as any signs of damage to the housing or the insulation system. In case you see some damage in the wiring, you can cut new wires in accordance to the correct color and replace them. However, if the ignition module itself is damaged then replace the whole ignition module.

Step 4 – Pre-installation of Ignition Coil Preparation

Carefully clean the casing and if necessary install a new rubber or spring insulator for additional protection.

Step 5 – Installing the New Ignition Coil

If the ignition module is still functional, install the new ignition coil to the ignition module in the same position where the old coil was located and proceed to reassembling the ignition module. Reconnect all the wires to their respective terminalsand place the entire ignition module back to its appropriate location.Make sure the bolts are tight enough and that all wires are connected properlywithno wiresexposedand protruding from the casing.

Step 6 – Reconnect the Battery Terminals Back to the Ignition Module

Reconnect the battery terminals back to the engine as wellas the battery to produce power for the ignition module.

Step 7 – Test the New Ignition Coil for Proper Functioning

Test drive the car. Try to start the engine. The new ignition coil should be able to provideenough power to successfully start the car.