Coil Pack replacement? Sputtering.

[ttiiggy]

1996 Neon. SOHC. 2.0 L.

About a year ago, the car started sputtering whenever I accelerate from a stop. It runs OK. Will get up and move if I put my foot into it. It just sputters when I granny away from a light. I thought it might be ingition something... Replaced the plugs and wires and and the 'problem' seemed to go away.

Now it has started sputtering again. I put new plugs in it. The old ones didn't look bad. There was NOT any one of them that was any different color than the others, so I think the wires are probably OK.

Any ideas which end to start on? Ignition? Fuel? Carburetor needs cleaned out? Injectors? New nut behind the wheel? Jack up the radiator cap and drive a new car under it?

I got a used coil pack from the junk yard. They said it is for a '96 2.0 L but the wire connector plug is different. Maybe for a DOHC? Are there several different versions of these or did the junk yard actually have it labled wrong? I did get 'new'/used wires with the coil pack, so I am going to try swapping the wires out to see if it makes any difference.

[1thunder]

on the plugs you removed did you check on the porcelain pert where the rubber from the wire sits on for any trace of arcing if so replace the plugs again and the wires as the new plug will have the arc burn path back in the porcelain and will wreck the new wires and you will be chasing your tail as one will keep taking the other out over and over if this is the case

[das2123]

The 96 year had 2 different style of plugs...95-96.4 use rounded plugs, 96.5-2003 use flat plugs.

Is your CEL on? Check for codes.

[ttiiggy]

It is running OK now since I put it back together after finding out the 'new' coil pack wouldn't fit.??

Originally Posted by 1thunder

on the plugs you removed did you check on the porcelain pert where the rubber from the wire sits on for any trace of arcing if so replace the plugs again and the wires as the new plug will have the arc burn path back in the porcelain and will wreck the new wires and you will be chasing your tail as one will keep taking the other out over and over if this is the case

I looked at the plugs. Didn't SEE any arcing. OK, so I have to replace the plugs and the wires at the same time. I will try that next time.

Seems like it MIGHT be connected to that type of thing because of it running OK now.

Originally Posted by das2123

Is your CEL on? Check for codes.

CEL has been on for almost a year. Can't even remember now what code it was yelling at me and mechanic said it wasn't a critical one and was kinda expensive to fix.

Also the Alternator light is on since I replace the leaking radiator almost 6 months ago. ???? Dunno WHAT connection that had.?? I must have knocked loose something.

Originally Posted by das2123

The 96 year had 2 different style of plugs...95-96.4 use rounded plugs, 96.5-2003 use flat plugs.

I will take pictures of both connector plugs.