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| Author | Topic: Finding bad coil |
golfboy  POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Bradenton,Fl.,USA |
posted 01-29-2014 03:38 PM
    
Recently while on a drive, my Prowler started running rough like the engine was missing and the check engine light came on and started flashing. I know when the light is flashing it indicates a problem that needs immediate attention. I was able to limp it to the garage I use frequently and leave it there overnight. The next day I got a call from the garage and was told that I had a bad coil on number 2 cylinder. I had them replace the coil and all the spark plugs since I have 28,000 mi. on the car and the plugs were 12 years old. The bill came to $260.00 which I paid. Now I am thinking, I could have changed the coil myself along with the spark plugs and saved a lot of money. Can someone tell me how the cylinders and coils are numbered? Also, is there a simple test I can do myself to find which coil might be bad if this happens to me in the future? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. This message has been edited by golfboy on 01-29-2014 at 03:42 PM |
ed monahan                  POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 01-29-2014 04:16 PM
I am presuming your car was running rough, even at idle. You can pull one coil at a time, when NOTHING CHANGES, you have the bad one. If you pull a good coil, the car will run much rougher. That is the backyard mechanic way of doing it. You can probably have an auto parts store check it with a scanner and they MIGHT be able to tell you, EXACTLY which one. 28,000 is not very many miles for spark plugs in this day and age. They claim they will last 100,000. You need to run it at HIGH speed once in awhile to burn off the carbon, slow speeds won't get it hot enough to clean things up. |
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DTK Prowler Enthusiast From:Boynton Beach,FL |
posted 01-29-2014 05:40 PM
You had a code P0302 indicating misfire Number 2. OBDII codes are standard in all post 1996 cars. P0301 is misfire #1 and so on. Don't be worried if you see P0300 just means multiple misfire. The cylinders are number 1 is the right side 2 left 3 right and so on. Just buy your self a cheapy OBDII reader 30.00 at the parts store. here is the sure fire way to determine if its a coil or a plug. First lets take your ,misfire #2 , Take coil number 2 and swap it with coil number 3, clear the codes. Run the car until the CEL light comes back on. Scan for codes. Now if you get a P0303 misfire number 3 , you know its the coil. If you still get a misfire on #2 swap the spark plugs. If it now jumps to #3 then you have a fouled plug. FYI I am a ASE certified master auto tech and certified Auto Instructor and these are the techniques I use and teach in the work place. |
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quincy POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Fairfield Glade, TN. USA |
posted 01-29-2014 05:50 PM
To answer your question, the 3.5L V-6 in the Prowler has what is called coil on plug. No real spark plug wires running from what you as well and I remember as a distributer. Its good technology because each cylinder has its own coil which can deliver a very hot high current spark to the engine. The coils are attached to the top of the motor and use a torx bit as I recall. Once unbolted just pull off. I like to apply dielectric grease inside the boot that fits over the plug and put a wee bit of never seize on the SP threads. Not a hard job. I replaced my original plugs with NGK platinum plugs at about 18K miles. No special reason, just an upgrade. The other advise was great to follow where the bad coil was. Past tense. This message has been edited by quincy on 01-29-2014 at 05:51 PM |
jimsutton POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Ocala, FL, USA |
posted 01-29-2014 06:05 PM
I had a Bad coil on my Prowler I found it this way in the dark I open the hood started the motor and wala the coil was arking to the block -$39.00 fix at auto Zone I keep a extra in the car now .. |
catfish POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:scottsdale,az,usa |
posted 01-29-2014 06:55 PM
if a coil is firing when you pull it away from the plug you will hear it firing,no sound a bad coil.this post belongs in technical. ------------------ This message has been edited by catfish on 01-29-2014 at 06:56 PM |
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DTK Prowler Enthusiast From:Boynton Beach,FL |
posted 01-29-2014 08:19 PM
That's not a good idea. Unlike the old days where a coil would produce nothing but voltage and a micro amount of amperage. Todays coils produce allot more amperage than the old coils. Voltage is just electrical pressure, amperage is the volume. It only take .6 amps to kill you with enough voltage to push it through your body. So if you get zapped by a modern coil there is a very good chance it will knock you on your ass. quote: |
Piddler Prowler Junkie From:Anniston Al |
posted 01-29-2014 09:59 PM
Unplug the power wire going to the coil one at a time. quote: ------------------ |
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catfish POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:scottsdale,az,usa |
posted 01-30-2014 06:15 AM
dtk,if your stupid enough to stick your finger or other body part close enough to the end of the coil then you deserve to get zapped.since the coil is at least 6 inches long youre not even close,i said hear the spark not see it.glad youre not working on my car.you could unplug it but you also take the chance of breaking the old very brittle clip,which keeps it in place. ------------------ This message has been edited by catfish on 01-30-2014 at 06:17 AM |
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DTK Prowler Enthusiast From:Boynton Beach,FL |
posted 01-30-2014 06:22 AM
Catfish I am not going into a debate with you on this been doing this for 30 years, seems everyone is an expert. If a coil is bad and developed cracking in the insulation which is common, it will easily arch up and zap you even on 6" of insulation. However if you feel I am incorrect feel free to try it. |
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golfboy POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Bradenton,Fl.,USA |
posted 01-30-2014 10:33 AM
Thanks everyone who responded to my questions. It was all good information even though there was some difference of opinion on some of it. DTK, if I understand you correctly, when you are looking at the engine from the front, the number 1 cylinder is front passenger side, number 2 is front drivers side, number 3 is middle passenger side, number 4 is middle drivers side, number 5 is back passenger side and number 6 is back drivers side. Is this right? Also, Catfish I posted in the general section so that the most people would see my request and I would get the best results. I know it is a technical question. Sorry if it upset you. Golfboy. |
idive POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Texas USA |
posted 01-30-2014 08:41 PM
Just a bit of reasoning here... If someone is having an technical problem similar to this and tries searching for an answer, they wouldn't find this answer by doing a search for things in the technical forum. Perhaps it would be better to post the question in the technical forum in the future, and if you want more people to see it, make another post in the general forum with a link to the thread in the technical forum. |
Poor Richard POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Far Hills, New Jersey, USA |
posted 01-31-2014 06:43 AM
DTK…thanks for the advice, it's great we have a certified expert on this site!!  |
beachcat BANNED From:Ontario, Canada |
posted 01-31-2014 06:51 AM
quote: X2, long overdue! |
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catfish POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:scottsdale,az,usa |
posted 01-31-2014 04:48 PM
it doesnt upset me at all,there are way to many people who continue to post in the wrong section.no matter where you post it will be seen. ------------------ |
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