96 2.4l ignition problems

[jschl]

I'm having a strange problem with a 96 2.4L. (70k miles) A few weeks ago the vehicle started to only run on two cylinders. After determining that the problem was electrical, and finding that the one of the plug terminals, boot, and the connector the coil housing was completely corroded, I replaced all of the plugs, boots, and purchased a new housing. After reassembly the problem still remained. I then replaced one, then both ignition coils. but the problem still occurred. (I now have replaced The plugs, boots, coils and housing) I finally took it to a mechanic who diagnosed that the "new" coil housing I had purchased was bad. I exchanged the coil housing and the car started up and ran perfectly.... for two weeks. Yesterday I was driving down the road at a steady speed and it suddenly began to misfire again. I tore down the ignition components, tested everything(for continuity) and everything looked good. Since the problem was identical to before, I went to the Advance Auto Parts and bought a third coil housing, which immediately solved the problem.
My confusion is that the coil housing appears to be a simple connector to me, and I have tested all of the individual connectors on on the one i just replaced with a multimeter and they all make a good connection. Is there something else (ignition control module, sensor) that could be causing this problem, or should I just chalk it up to a faulty batch of aftermarket coil housings?

[GTP Dad]

I would chalk it up to bad coils. Try spending more money and go to a dealer or somewhere that sells AC delco. These are oem and should cure the entire problem I purchase a lot of stuff from Autozone but sometimes OEM works best.

[flycar]

I would also check the plugs you just put in... make sure gap is correct and deposits are normal (light tan color)... a bad plug could force the coil to breakdown quickly because the spark energy has to go somewhere (path of least resistance)

just a thought

[jjww34]

Had the same problem with wife's '96 2.4. Went through several coil housings. I put a new ground wire from the battery to the engine and have about 6000 miles on this housing. They have a poor ground, hooks to battery tray. After alot of money it was a $10 fix.