coil pack

[jenmcc]

I was just told by a mechanic I have to have 1 (maybe 3) coil packs replaced at $113 each plus labor on my 2000 Corolla. I can't afford that just yet but I'm worried about damaging my car if I wait a month until I can.

The car ran rough and made sputtering noises from under the hood and had problems with pickup back in December (it got really bad after a lot of rain for days on end). I had a tune up and had all the spark plugs replaced. It sounded and drove much better after that. Now it's two months later and it starts making the same noises only worse (even the kids noticed!) and it's been really rainy again if that matters.

So I took it back to the shop and asked them to take a look, reminding them they just gave me new plugs in Dec. The guy tells me the No. 2 coil pack is misfiring and I need a new one. When I told him the price was out of the question, he replaced the spark plugs just to be sure (still under warranty) and ran diagnostics again and said it was now showing I need 3 coil packs. I can afford that even less, but what choice do I have?

I think if I could find the coil packs on my own I could get a friend help me replace them, but I haven't had any luck so far. The noise is getting worse and I'm really worried about the long-term effects waiting will have on the car. Not using the car isn't an option, so should I just suck it up and find a way to get the money for the repairs asap or is it OK to wait a bit and continue driving?

[wrenchdad]

Does your car use the same coil packs as a 99? IF so I have a spare set that I am willing to sell. You can change them yourself, its not that big of a deal, just four bolts and one wire connection per coil and of course the two spark wires. My 99 has the twin coil packs that mount on the tanny end of the motor. It might not be the same as yours, you may have the single coils that mount right on top of the sparkplug hole on the valve cover.

let me know if I can help
later wrenchdad

[jenmcc]

Originally Posted by wrenchdad

Does your car use the same coil packs as a 99? IF so I have a spare set that I am willing to sell. You can change them yourself, its not that big of a deal, just four bolts and one wire connection per coil and of course the two spark wires. My 99 has the twin coil packs that mount on the tanny end of the motor. It might not be the same as yours, you may have the single coils that mount right on top of the sparkplug hole on the valve cover.

let me know if I can help
later wrenchdad

Thanks for the offer. I checked and not only does the 2000 differ from the 1999, but there are even two different types just for the 2000. Looks like I'm going to have to go to Auto Zone or something - at least they're cheaper than the mechanic who gave me the bad news. I'm still driving it and nothing bad has happened yet - knock wood. Thanks again.

[wrenchdad]

Sorry I couldn't help. Just a couple of thoughts some Corolla or even some Toyota are very picky about which brand sparkplug you put in them. You might want to be sure that you have the right ones in your car. Second all of this could be a ground issue and not a coil problem at all. Take a GOOD look at all of your ground points under the hood not just the battery but all the jumper wires that go from engine to body and there will be a few that come out of the harness that will bolt to the engine in places. Sorry I can't tell you just where that they are but it appears that our two car's engine harnesses are different. Also the coil packs, from what you have said it appears that you have one coil per sparkplug, the coil is mounted right on top of the plug. The mounting bolt for the coil is the ground for the coil, so an easy check is to pull the bolt and unplug the harness connector from the pack remove the pack and see if there is any corrosion on the mounting boss on the top of the valve cover also look at the bottom of the coil mounting hole for corrosion. It sounds like its a high humidity problem which could well be a ground issue. While you have the coil out, pull the plugs and let me know what brand and type, its all wrote on the plug.

Let me know if I can be of any more help, later wd