[Cloud9...68]

Not sure this is the best category for this question, but I'm wondering what is the consensus as to the useful life of an ignition coil in these cars. My car isn't displaying any obvious symptoms, but I've recently replaced all the other ignition components (plugs, wires, distributor cap, and rotor), so I'm wondering if 17 years and 107K miles isn't about the time to replace the coil, as it's a pretty cheap part. Thanks.

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[Johannvb]

I was wondering the exact same thing when I replaced my plugs, rotor, distributor cap and ignition wires about a year ago. I only just bought the car and I ended up leaving the coil in because it seemed like a lot of work to get it out and I did not have any symptoms either, but given the cost and my comfort level the car now, I would change the coil as well. Come to think of it...the car is currently in the air and the batery disconnected anyway I might just replace the coil now!

Thanks for the reminder [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

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[S_Cal968]

The coil is not a typical service part, so there isn't a service interval listed, [at least none that I've ever seen]. A coil can run anywhere from 80K to 250k+, it depends on when the internals eventually breakdown. When it does go the engine may mis-fire and there will be a loss of power.
I have yet to find out what the coil resistance is of a known good coil so at least we can check them statically.

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[RS Barn]

We had a car with 80k have a really interesting coil problem'
Car would only start over 55 degreesF. usually coils fail at high temp from engine heat
Not a bad idea to replace at 100K

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[Cloud9...68]

<!--quoteo(post=72443:date=May 23 2009, 07:03 PM:name=RS Barn)-->QUOTE (RS Barn @ May 23 2009, 07:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->We had a car with 80k have a really interesting coil problem'
Car would only start over 55 degreesF. usually coils fail at high temp from engine heat
Not a bad idea to replace at 100K<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, I kind of had the same thought. I haven't priced one lately, but I seem to remember they're pretty cheap. I hate to blindly replace parts without any symptoms of them beginning to fail, but at 19 years, mostly in the Central Texas heat, and 107K miles, it's probably not a bad idea to replace it.

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[rxter]

Found it. Sorry about the wasted post. Pete says 100k, then 100K it is...

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[kwikt]

Yep.. I replaced mine at 120,000 just to be safe.

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[DayDreamer]

is there a DIY?

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[Johannvb]

It's really straight forward:
- Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery
- Remove the dust cover from the coil. This just clicks off.
- Pull the HT lead going to the distributor cap
- Loosen the nuts on each pole of the coil and remove the wires. Some people have spacers on the coils poles, if you do remember the sequence they were installed so that you can reinstall them the same way.
- Loosen the clamp that hold the coil to the car. There is a single nut on the engine's side
- Remove coil
- Replacement is reverse of removal.

Be careful when tightening the wires to the new coil's poles. Do not over tighten the nuts, because the poles can break loose from the coil's moldings and then you have to buy a new coil.

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[DayDreamer]

Thanks Johan, [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]... I feel like a complete dummy... I forgot THAT was the coil, I thought it was hidden in some obscure place... ooops. Off to Carrera to get more parts...

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[Johannvb]

Send my love to my 356....it's the light blue B one on their sales floor. I wish the economy would pick up so that they can finally sell it.

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[DayDreamer]

Will do.. my S2 will be heading there pretty soon...

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