Can anybody explain how to test your ignition coils to see which one is bad?
I assume you can do it with a quality multi-meter. I am getting the 1320 code but nothing else - no cylinder# misfire code.
I know most people say to replace them all but I am looking for a cheaper alternative right now as I need news skins as well.
Thanks-

 

let me know if you figure it out. I have a set of used coils, 1 of which is bad (no idea which one)....I've been meaning to try to figure out how to test them, but ahven't gotten around to it....

 

pick yourself up a haynes manual. it walks you through the procedure to test them. i will post it later tonight if i can find my haynes unless someone has it close by.

 

Thanks, for looking for it -

 

the resistance check will tell you which one if it is totally failed (if the reading on the ohmmeter is infinate or 0 it is bad, anything else is good (according to alldata)) also to test the coils for intermittant failure you need to hook it up to an oscilliscoe and throw and certain AC signal through it and then read the results (frequency and amplitude) to find if it is in spec

P.S. the haynes manual (i think) only has resistace checks.

 

Most of the times the ignition coil itself doesn't fail (generation of 35KV to create the arc)... but it is the insulation around the coil that fails. If you wrap the coil with high temp insulation tape, it should work like a gem..

I learnt about it (my friend did exactly that and saved $400, I don't know how much he can juice out of the coils before they really fail!!!) after I replaced all the 6 coils. If any of the replaced ones were to pop P1320 codes, I intend to isolate the coil and wrap it with 3M industrial high temp insulation tape.

 

Thanks for the advice. I hadn't heard about the insulation fix. I don't think I have one that's totally bad b/c I can reset the computer and it takes a few days to light the SES 1320 again. Also, the car runs fine and silky smooth somtimes but sometimes rough w/ a lumpy idle. I guess and insulation problem would also explain why it's worse on cold mornings when the air would be a better conductor.

 

Anybody know what stores might carry a high temp industrial tape for re-insulating the coils? I checked Pep Boys last night and all they have is muffler tape.

 

i think that tape is a silver metalic tape that you can find at home depot or walmart.