Tips on How to Replace Your Car or Truck's Coil

There are many ways to fix a problem with the coil. In fact if the coil is the only thing wrong with you vehicle, you do not need to take it to a mechanic. Chances are you can fix the problem on your vehicle by yourself, without even jacking up your car. Usually you only need a basic set of tools.

The first thing you should always do before you change out a bad coil is check to make sure that it is actually the coil that is bad and not something else. To do this, check the connections to make sure they are all connected properly. Wiggle the connections apart until they come off, and check for corrosion. If the connection has corrosion, that might be your problem. Take a small piece of sand paper and rub down the corroded spot until metal appears. This will allow the connections to transfer power, and not be insulated by the corrosion. If the connections are also loose you are going to want to tighten them by pinching the connectors together. You should also check the big wire that goes to the coil. If there is corrosion in that one, you might need a new one. Also always remember to do one at a time or mark them so that you know exactly where they are supposed to go.

If that does not fix the problem the coil must actually be bad. Take a picture of the coil before you do anything else. That will allow you to make sure you connect everything to where it is supposed to go when you are done replacing the wire. As an added security against putting the wrong wire in the wrong place mark every wire with masking tape and a marker. To do this, wrap tape around the end of the wire to make a flag, and then put a number or letter on the flag. Then mark the spot where the wire connected with the same number or letter. Make sure you do them one at a time, so that you do not accidentally get two wires confused, which can cause a problem.

Once you do that loosen the bolt that is holding the coil to the mounting bracket. You will probably need a wrench, or a wrench and a screw driver in order to loosen it enough. You probably do not need to take the bolt out completely, just loosen it and slide out the coil. Now slide in your new coil and attach the wires to it by using your old coil, and the picture as a guide. Remember you might have put it in backwards. So check the positive and negative on your old and new one to make sure you put it together correctly.