Ignition coils, replace 1 or all 8?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 270
Likes: 27
From: VA
Ignition coils, replace 1 or all 8?
Hello- I have a 2002 daily driver with over 200,000 miles and the original ignition coils.
About 2 weeks ago I noticed a slight hesitation when accelerating from a stop.
2 or 3 days later check engine and VSC lights come on... the engine was struggling at this point to not turn off.
Very fortunate that only one code appeared on the reader and that was cylinder 5 misfire.
I switched the 5 coil with the number one coil and that was the culprit.
1. Do ignition coils degrade? I have over 200000 miles and this is the first time a coil goes bad.
2. Should I buy all 8 or just replace the bad one?
I'm just trying to get some opinions and not start a huge debate with the next question...just thinking out loud.
3. aftermarket or dealer coils?
aftermarket range from $75 for all 8 to $300 / Dealer range from $500 to $800 for all 8
I'm leaning towards aftermarket.
The way I look at it is; All the coils are easy to get to and can be replaced quickly with a few hand tools.
If I was replacing a water pump or something that required technical knowhow and lots of time to dismantle and reassemble, I would think about it twice.
Thank you for your help!
About 2 weeks ago I noticed a slight hesitation when accelerating from a stop.
2 or 3 days later check engine and VSC lights come on... the engine was struggling at this point to not turn off.
Very fortunate that only one code appeared on the reader and that was cylinder 5 misfire.
I switched the 5 coil with the number one coil and that was the culprit.
1. Do ignition coils degrade? I have over 200000 miles and this is the first time a coil goes bad.
2. Should I buy all 8 or just replace the bad one?
I'm just trying to get some opinions and not start a huge debate with the next question...just thinking out loud.
3. aftermarket or dealer coils?
aftermarket range from $75 for all 8 to $300 / Dealer range from $500 to $800 for all 8
I'm leaning towards aftermarket.
The way I look at it is; All the coils are easy to get to and can be replaced quickly with a few hand tools.
If I was replacing a water pump or something that required technical knowhow and lots of time to dismantle and reassemble, I would think about it twice.
Thank you for your help!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,213
Likes: 952
From: Fl
Here are my two cents.
if you plan to keep the car a while, I would purchase two Denso OE coils for $48ea from Rockauto.
why two, so you have a spare if it happens again. They are so easy to change and you could keep the part in the trunk, I believe the car tool kit includes a 10mm wrench or was it 12mm?
if you plan to keep the car a while, I would purchase two Denso OE coils for $48ea from Rockauto.
why two, so you have a spare if it happens again. They are so easy to change and you could keep the part in the trunk, I believe the car tool kit includes a 10mm wrench or was it 12mm?
Last edited by Bgw70; Jun 4, 2021 at 12:55 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 720
Likes: 317
From: WA
Two OEM is reasonable. Replaces the current defective and small incremental cost to have spare. I'd stay away from after market, cheapo 8-packs of coils. Too bad a reputation for working a few months and failing.
If anything, at 200K, I would swap out all old spark plugs for new iridium plugs before aging plugs increase risk of further coil failures as the older plugs increase load on the coils. Again, go with good NGK #4589 from reputable source.
If anything, at 200K, I would swap out all old spark plugs for new iridium plugs before aging plugs increase risk of further coil failures as the older plugs increase load on the coils. Again, go with good NGK #4589 from reputable source.
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