Coil Pack Question
 

Hello,
I have a 97 maxima GLE at 188,xxx and I was wondering if coil packs are considered "service" parts and need to be replaced after a certain amount of time or get "tired" like O2 sensors. I don't know if the ones I currently have are originals and I've put about 40K on the car, but is it worth looking into to regain lost power? or are they a part you just replace when they break?
Thanks!

Coil packs are service parts as they can and will fail eventually. But there is no set "schedule" for replacing them, you replace them when they fail. They do not slowly weaken over time, the transistor inside them goes bad at some unpredictable point.

Wondering the same thing. Is it a good idea to have a spare one in glove box? Do they sputter or just die with no warning?

A failing coilpack will cause a rough idle and a miss while driving

Totally agree. New coilpacks are pricey at $60 each. Used ones go for $10 to $15 each. The gains to be had between functioning coilpacks and new coilpacks would be hard to measure.

I guess I better scope out scrapers and grab spares.

If you think you've lost power, check for a ghost knock sensor code.

I would only replace the coils when they fail. which causes misfiring at a stop light and the car jerking. I got a set of all 6 for $300 hitachi coils 3 months ago and still work like a charm to this day. I bought used ones from a junkyard and they were crap and didn't work so I just went with new.

how do you get rid of the ghost knock sensor code

The point is not to get rid of the code (which won't trigger a CEL), but to replace the knock sensor if it's bad. If you have the ghost code and the CEL is not on, that probably means the sensor is bad. Replacing a bad knock sensor will usually restore quite a bit of power.

yea I have one ordered and on the way now . been having the intermittent rough idle for the past week . checked coil packs with multi meter and tps . cant figure it out everything came up good . only codes I had were knock and p1320

I did replace my knock sensor a few months ago to clear a mil and it was much improved. In running well but I think I need a spare coil in my trunk just in case.

point in case here guys, i have 5 of the original 6 coil packs and i'm at 278,000 on mine. just replaced one for the first time in june. :)