Coil Pack Question

When you pull a spark plug lead off a coil pack with the engine running, should it arc against itself? Five of the six coil terminals arc against the body of the coil, one doesn't. Which is the right way? I have a severe miss that happens at all speeds, and an idle that is a wave from 700 to 1,000 rpm. I pulled and cleaned plugs (recently replaced), replaced all vacuum lines (they were BAD), checked compression (3 @ 120, 3 @ 130), put injector cleaner in the tank, put it back together, and it ran great for about 4 days. Now I'm back to severe missing/hesitation. I am trying to decide if the ol' gal is worth a new timing belt at 279,000 miles.

Opinions WANTED.

what kind of obd codes are you having pop up?

I'm having similar issues.... do you get a P0301 code?

I haven't pulled any codes. I took it to a shop to see if they would run tests so I could see if I had bad sensors and they told me it was too old for them to run codes on it.??? I did, however, start throwing parts at it. I replaced just one coil and that stopped the hesitation. The gas milage is still bad (15), and the valve tap is more like a knock now, but you don't feel as if you won't make it to point B. Next, I thought a set of plug wires, then the timing belt. I have been the only owner for 279,000 miles, but I'm going to sell it.

Had a similar issue with a bad misfire in my '95 Passport 3.2L w/175K. I found a spot on the tube of spark plug wire #1. It was a small black and white burned spot about an inch above the rubber part that goes over the spark plug. I swapped out the wire with a used, but good wire and the trouble went away(for a month). Then had the same thing happen again about a month later on the other bank with the wire to plug #2. Only this time is was very hard to notice at first glance. Got smart and swapped out ALL of the wires and problem solved.
Hope this helps.

Recently I replaced the coil pack with one I found off of eBay (for only $30!)...it worked like a charm. (keep in mind, however, that previously I had also changed the spark plugs, wires, as well as other parts for other obd codes... including replacing the fuel sending unit, the camshaft position sensor, and valve seal gasket.

Completely fixed the rough idle, improved throttle response, fixed the puttering and the shaking in the engine. Codes P0301, P0463, P1627, P0342, and a couple others I forget fixed completely. No longer showing.

BUT... I got a new problem. And this is one that I am truly dreading to tackle. :uhoh:

I got a new code. P0128. Checked and filled coolant, just to come to the conclusion thermostat was stuck open. Decided while replacing thermostat might as well replace the exhaust manifold gasket...

Got the t-stat off no sweat. Went to remove the old EM Gasket and not one but TWO bolts broke off. STILL IN THE BLOCK.

Tried to get one of the broken bolt kits from Sears... no luck. The bolts are too strong.

GOT ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO REMOVE THOSE?!?! ANYONE!?!:crying: