1997 Ford Taurus - P0353

[ryanft]

Hello I have a '97 Ford Taurus that's pulling the P0353 Ignition Coil code. I have replaced the ignition coil along with all plugs/wires and the code still comes up (after clearing it and disconnecting the battery.)

The car will start and idle normally for a few seconds but then starts to sputter with the RPMs dipping and repeatedly. To prevent a stall I have to give it gas and sometimes when doing this there is a popping sound from below/in front of me. When driving the car only accelerates very slowly even though engine appears to be responsive (RPMs raise) with the accelerator.

These symptoms seem to be worse when it's cold outside and on occasion the car runs more or less totally normally with good idle and acceleration.

In the past I've had a low catalyst code so I was thinking it could be related to a blocked/partially blocked catalytic converter but a mechanic that I took it to thought instead that it might be the PCM.

Thoughts? What's the next step for troubleshooting a car that pulls P0353 even after the coil has been replaced?

[shorod]

Which coil did you replace, just one or all three? The P0353 code indicates that coil 3 has a primary malfunction. This could be the drive to the coil or the primary winding of the coil. Do you have access to an oscilloscope to check for pulse to the coil? How about swapping the coil packs around if they are not integrated in to one unit?

If you've cleared the codes and the P0353 is still active, you should figure out the source of that code prior to replacing more parts. If you don't have an oscilloscope, then track down a spark tester. These are typically pretty inexpensive. Install the spark tester in series with each of the plug wires to determine which cylinders are not getting spark.

If you find that one or more cylinders do not have good spark, then trace those wires back to the coil or coils they are fed by. You'll probably find that if there is more than one cylinder missing spark, they are fed by the same coil. Obviously inspect the connections and ground(s) to the coil packs and inspect for any damaged wires.

Which engine does your Taurus have (3.0L 12V Vulcan, 3.0L 24V Duratech, or 3.4L V8 SHO)?

-Rod

[ryanft]

Thanks for the reply.

Engine is the 3.0L Vulcan. As far as I know/can see/according to Haynes, there is only one ignition coil pack.

I'll have to get an oscilloscope/spark tester to try the rest. Ideally though I would hope none of the plugs or wires (nor the ignition coil pack) would be bad at this point all having been replaced already.

Ryan

Originally Posted by shorod

Which coil did you replace, just one or all three? The P0353 code indicates that coil 3 has a primary malfunction. This could be the drive to the coil or the primary winding of the coil. Do you have access to an oscilloscope to check for pulse to the coil? How about swapping the coil packs around if they are not integrated in to one unit?

If you've cleared the codes and the P0353 is still active, you should figure out the source of that code prior to replacing more parts. If you don't have an oscilloscope, then track down a spark tester. These are typically pretty inexpensive. Install the spark tester in series with each of the plug wires to determine which cylinders are not getting spark.

If you find that one or more cylinders do not have good spark, then trace those wires back to the coil or coils they are fed by. You'll probably find that if there is more than one cylinder missing spark, they are fed by the same coil. Obviously inspect the connections and ground(s) to the coil packs and inspect for any damaged wires.

Which engine does your Taurus have (3.0L 12V Vulcan, 3.0L 24V Duratech, or 3.4L V8 SHO)?

-Rod

[GPFred]

If I recall, there are instructions in the Haynes manual for using a volt meter to check the coil pack across the connectors. I had a problem with my 98 Taurus and did the check on the coil pack. I then took it in to O'Reilly Auto Parts and they checked it again to make sure I was right and then sold me a new one. You could take the pack to O'Reilly and have them check it out for free. Good Luck.