How to... replace ignition coil

My friend has a 96 Acura Integra and needs to have the iginition coil replaced. The dealer wants $86.00 an hour and 2.5 hours to fix it. Does anyone have the how to.. to change this thing? I would like to take a shot at it and save my friend the $215.00.

Sidney

It is simple, look atthis this is a diagram to better help you understand.
http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/acura/jsp/mws/catimgs/13ST70_E0510.gif

Now #12 is the coil, but to get to it you have to take the distrubutor cap off and then remove the rotor. Now I highly suggest buying a new rotor, b/c you will probably break this one taking it off. Now take the rotor screw out (#11), it has to be pointed at the indention in #6 b/c that is the only way to get to the screw. Be careful, don't drop the screw. Now once you have the rotor screw out you will need to pull the rotor off, it will not come off easily, but what ever you do, DO NOT pry on it with anything! Now once you have the rotor off the plastic cover #6 will slide right off exposing the coil. The coil has 2 screws holding it in and has 2 wires running to it that are fastened with screws, take these wires off and remember which one goes where, then remove the coil screws and the coil and replace in reverse.

And how long do you think this takes? Seems to me like 20-30 mins off and about 10 mins back on. And also, is the distributor and everything else easily accessible?

Sidney

It would take me about 20 mins to do this or less. And yes the distributor is easily accessible. What kind of automi=otive experience do you have?

I used to work on my 94 Maxima. Changed the brakes, oil, water pump, axle, few other minor things. I have my dad as backup. He used to work on cars all the time and worked in several garages. But now he is 65 and grouchy and never wants to do anything. So I have to try and figure everything out on my own. This sounds easy and seems like it would be quick. But the first thing my dad asked was how accessible is the distributor. And usually when the garage says it will take 2 hours, I always estimate between 25- 45 mins.

Thanks for the info, I will let you know how it goes. Gonna get it back from the Acura dealer tomorrow and work on it.

Sidney

Well, got the car back today, tried to replace it but could NOT find the screw that holds the rotor on. I was kinda rushing this morning trying to fix it and get to work before 11:30. And after I left for work, I thought that maybe I should have turned the rotor. Was I supposed to do that to find the screw? I just kept thinking about the diagram and thinking that the screw was at the bottom of the rotor.

Sidney

You cannot turn the rotor by hand, you have to have someone bump the starter to get it to point towards the back. The screw is 180 degrees from the part of the rotor that transfers the spark (the metal part).

Got it!! Done!! Fixed! Just had some problems with 2 stripped screws. The screw that holds the rotor on and the screw that held the positive wires were stripped. But after getting them off and replacing the ignition coil, car started right up !! Thanks for the instructions and you're right, it should only take about 15 - 20 minutes. If I did not have to deal with the stripped screws it would have taken me about the long (or short) to fix it. Took me about 40 mins overall.

Thanks alot, saved $215.00 in labor !!

I LOVE THE INTERNET !!!!

Sidney

Don't rush off man stick around and enjoy all that AF has to offer :icon16:

I'm sure I will be back. My friends car has over 150,000 miles on it and she drives like a maniac. this was the first time she has trusted me to touch her car. And now that I, with your help, have saved her over $200.00, I know she will come calling next time there is a problem.

Thanks again !
Sidney