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  #1  
Old 10-25-2012, 06:11 PM
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Testing coil packs?

So, my car started missing badly on sunday. I narrowed it down to the middle cylinder on the passenger side. I'm guessing it's the coil but it could also be the injector I suppose. Is there any way to test the coil before spending $80 or more on a new one?

I think I'll try listening to the injector to make sure it's clicking. Just the same, if I can be sure that the coil is bad before ordering a new one it would make me feel a lot better.
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SOLD - 1992 LSL 180K #8588 with svxfiles' all aluminum radiator; Wolf's head synthetic ATF in tranny and power steering; lighted power mode switch; Mobil 1 10W30 motor oil with Bosch 72158 filter; ACDelco A975C air filter; Valvoline synthetic 75W-90 gear oil, Optima BlueTop battery
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  #2  
Old 10-26-2012, 10:53 AM
1986nate 1986nate is offline
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Re: Testing coil packs?

Pull the coil and inspect for cracks. If it's arcing, it will also show signs of being "burnt".
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  #3  
Old 10-26-2012, 04:08 PM
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dannmarr dannmarr is offline
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Re: Testing coil packs?

How did you narrow it down? What test have you done? Do you have codes?
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  #4  
Old 10-26-2012, 08:50 PM
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Re: Testing coil packs?

I don't see any burn marks, but there is a crack along the raised part (see pic).
The boot looks fine.



I narrowed it down by pulling the plug on each injector one at a time. The one that didn't make a difference is the one that I'm assuming has a bad coil. But like I said before, it could also be the injector somehow. I'm planning to listen to the injectors tomorrow and see if they all make clicking noises.
I don't have a CEL, but I didn't check for hidden codes either.

Thanks for the help!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg bad coil.jpg (78.4 KB, 578 views)
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Glen

SOLD - 1992 LSL 180K #8588 with svxfiles' all aluminum radiator; Wolf's head synthetic ATF in tranny and power steering; lighted power mode switch; Mobil 1 10W30 motor oil with Bosch 72158 filter; ACDelco A975C air filter; Valvoline synthetic 75W-90 gear oil, Optima BlueTop battery
2002 F550 74K
SOLD - 2000 F450 215K
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  #5  
Old 10-26-2012, 10:53 PM
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dannmarr dannmarr is offline
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Re: Testing coil packs?

My bad coil looked just like that. You could hear it clicking (shorting to the engine from the crack). Try switching the coil with another and see if the problem follows.
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Father of 5 sons and 1 daughter

Subaru SVX for fun
Hyundai Veracruz for the wife.
Susuki SX4 for my older son
Ford Ranger for work
Mercedes Benz Sprinter for vacation trips,
EZ GO Golf cart for driving kids around gated community.
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  #6  
Old 10-28-2012, 04:07 PM
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Re: Testing coil packs?

Ok, swapped it with the center coil on the driver side and the problem followed. Just ordered a new one now. Thanks for the coupon!
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Glen

SOLD - 1992 LSL 180K #8588 with svxfiles' all aluminum radiator; Wolf's head synthetic ATF in tranny and power steering; lighted power mode switch; Mobil 1 10W30 motor oil with Bosch 72158 filter; ACDelco A975C air filter; Valvoline synthetic 75W-90 gear oil, Optima BlueTop battery
2002 F550 74K
SOLD - 2000 F450 215K
1987 BMW 535i 209K
1999 Yamaha SRX 700
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  #7  
Old 10-28-2012, 05:42 PM
steveherman steveherman is offline
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Re: Testing coil packs?

What coupon do u speak of?
How much was one?
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  #8  
Old 10-28-2012, 07:28 PM
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Re: Testing coil packs?

Coupon: http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=60170

The coil was $70 something before the coupon and $67 with the coupon.
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SOLD - 1992 LSL 180K #8588 with svxfiles' all aluminum radiator; Wolf's head synthetic ATF in tranny and power steering; lighted power mode switch; Mobil 1 10W30 motor oil with Bosch 72158 filter; ACDelco A975C air filter; Valvoline synthetic 75W-90 gear oil, Optima BlueTop battery
2002 F550 74K
SOLD - 2000 F450 215K
1987 BMW 535i 209K
1999 Yamaha SRX 700
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  #9  
Old 10-29-2012, 08:33 PM
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Re: Testing coil packs?

I have a misfire on my engine too (same exact cylinder, oddly enough), and I've tried to remove it to test it but I can't unclip the connector from the bracket that holds all 3 connectors.
Is there a trick to getting it off?

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread, but I felt that it's too small an issue for its own thread.
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  #10  
Old 10-29-2012, 08:41 PM
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Re: Testing coil packs?

Yes it is quite tricky. It took me probably 20 mins to get it off the first time. I took a small flat screwdriver and used it to pry the small flat plastic tab toward the body of the connector. If the metal tab that it slides onto is at all rusty it makes it much more difficult to get off. I'd take a picture for you, but it's rainy and windy outside!

Let me know if you can't figure it out and I can take a picture when the hurricane slows down a little!

Welcome to SVXWN, by the way
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Glen

SOLD - 1992 LSL 180K #8588 with svxfiles' all aluminum radiator; Wolf's head synthetic ATF in tranny and power steering; lighted power mode switch; Mobil 1 10W30 motor oil with Bosch 72158 filter; ACDelco A975C air filter; Valvoline synthetic 75W-90 gear oil, Optima BlueTop battery
2002 F550 74K
SOLD - 2000 F450 215K
1987 BMW 535i 209K
1999 Yamaha SRX 700
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  #11  
Old 10-29-2012, 09:32 PM
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svxfiles svxfiles is offline
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Re: Testing coil packs?

Quote:
Originally Posted by EdWindows View Post
I have a misfire on my engine too (same exact cylinder, oddly enough), and I've tried to remove it to test it but I can't unclip the connector from the bracket that holds all 3 connectors.
Is there a trick to getting it off?

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread, but I felt that it's too small an issue for its own thread.
Once you have a new coil in hand its easier to see how to remove the original.
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  #12  
Old 10-29-2012, 11:53 PM
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5spd + coilovers = win :D
 
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Re: Testing coil packs?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SVX8588 View Post
Yes it is quite tricky. It took me probably 20 mins to get it off the first time. I took a small flat screwdriver and used it to pry the small flat plastic tab toward the body of the connector. If the metal tab that it slides onto is at all rusty it makes it much more difficult to get off. I'd take a picture for you, but it's rainy and windy outside!

Let me know if you can't figure it out and I can take a picture when the hurricane slows down a little!

Welcome to SVXWN, by the way
Thanks!
It took me a few minutes to figure out the plastic tab part. The metal tab is what I'm having trouble with. Does it really just slide on and off? It's really on there and I don't wanna apply brute force and risk breaking something.
I also heard that hurricane has some crazy flooding. A classmate of mine showed me a picture of a shark swimming between all the stuck cars!
Stay safe!

Quote:
Originally Posted by svxfiles View Post
Once you have a new coil in hand its easier to see how to remove the original.
That's the thing: I want to make sure it's the coil before I drop $80 on a new one.
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  #13  
Old 10-30-2012, 04:52 AM
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Re: Testing coil packs?

Quote:
Originally Posted by EdWindows View Post
Thanks!
It took me a few minutes to figure out the plastic tab part. The metal tab is what I'm having trouble with. Does it really just slide on and off? It's really on there and I don't wanna apply brute force and risk breaking something.
I also heard that hurricane has some crazy flooding.
A classmate of mine showed me a picture of a shark swimming between all the stuck cars!
Stay safe!



That's the thing: I want to make sure it's the coil before I drop $80 on a new one.
That was Alan from The Burg......
You know, Landshark!
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www.svxfiles.com
The first SuperCharged SVX,
the first 4.44 gears,
the first equal length headers,
the first phenolic spacers,
the first Class Glass fiberglass hood,
the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway


Fiberglass Hood thread
My locker
4.44 Swap link
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  #14  
Old 10-30-2012, 03:43 PM
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Re: Testing coil packs?

Quote:
Originally Posted by EdWindows View Post
Thanks!
It took me a few minutes to figure out the plastic tab part. The metal tab is what I'm having trouble with. Does it really just slide on and off? It's really on there and I don't wanna apply brute force and risk breaking something.
I also heard that hurricane has some crazy flooding. A classmate of mine showed me a picture of a shark swimming between all the stuck cars!
Stay safe!
There is a plastic tab that secures the connector to the metal tab. Different than the one that secures the two pieces of the connector together.
Thankfully the hurricane hasn't been bad here. A little rain and some wind. Not near as bad as they were saying.
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Glen

SOLD - 1992 LSL 180K #8588 with svxfiles' all aluminum radiator; Wolf's head synthetic ATF in tranny and power steering; lighted power mode switch; Mobil 1 10W30 motor oil with Bosch 72158 filter; ACDelco A975C air filter; Valvoline synthetic 75W-90 gear oil, Optima BlueTop battery
2002 F550 74K
SOLD - 2000 F450 215K
1987 BMW 535i 209K
1999 Yamaha SRX 700
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  #15  
Old 10-30-2012, 04:42 PM
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5spd + coilovers = win :D
 
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Re: Testing coil packs?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SVX8588 View Post
There is a plastic tab that secures the connector to the metal tab. Different than the one that secures the two pieces of the connector together.
Thankfully the hurricane hasn't been bad here. A little rain and some wind. Not near as bad as they were saying.
OH ok. I'll try to pry it with a screwdriver then.
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