Does my coil need replacing?
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Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Rowlett, TX
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Does my coil need replacing?
My car has a misfire, and I am not sure why. I replaced the spark plugs, wires, cap, and rotor, and its still misfiring. I didnt replace the coil, because I dont know if its bad or not. Here are a couple pics of it, what do you guys think? It almost looks burned on one side.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,842
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From: Rowlett, TX
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Another, showing the spot where it looks burned.
Last edited by Ward; Jan 27, 2003 at 10:29 PM.
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That coil should probably be replaced, misfire or no.
In any case, misfires are difficult to track down- as I am finding out right now.
Some of the things I've done (sadly, to no avail, but may work for you) are the following:
- checked the magnetic pick-up coil in the distributor. There is a procedure for this in the Haynes manual
- track down which cylinder is the culprit: Put the timing light on every plug wire and see if it fires the strobe. Or, at idle speed, go around the distributor with a NON-CONDUCTIVE pliers and pull off on plug wire at a time to see what the engine does. In my case, every time I pulled off a wire, the rpm would drop, except when I got to the number 2 cylinder where nothing happened. Do the same for the injectors. Again, in my case, the number 2 cylinder showed no response. So, now I'm focusing on that cylinder.
- look at your plugs after a while and see if any show signs of fouling.
- Check your ignition timing to make sure it is set properly.
- Check your all of your ground connections
In any case, misfires are difficult to track down- as I am finding out right now.
Some of the things I've done (sadly, to no avail, but may work for you) are the following:
- checked the magnetic pick-up coil in the distributor. There is a procedure for this in the Haynes manual
- track down which cylinder is the culprit: Put the timing light on every plug wire and see if it fires the strobe. Or, at idle speed, go around the distributor with a NON-CONDUCTIVE pliers and pull off on plug wire at a time to see what the engine does. In my case, every time I pulled off a wire, the rpm would drop, except when I got to the number 2 cylinder where nothing happened. Do the same for the injectors. Again, in my case, the number 2 cylinder showed no response. So, now I'm focusing on that cylinder.
- look at your plugs after a while and see if any show signs of fouling.
- Check your ignition timing to make sure it is set properly.
- Check your all of your ground connections
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Oak Forest, Illinois
Car: 1996 Camaro
Engine: 3800 V-6
Transmission: 4L60E Automatic
Looks like its time to upgrade to a MSD coil or Accell......that one has seen way better days 
.......I have a 1992 Firebird and run an Accell in mine......never had any problems with it.......but you might want to look at you ICM (ignition control module)also...just my $.02....good luck tracking down that misfire......
.......I have a 1992 Firebird and run an Accell in mine......never had any problems with it.......but you might want to look at you ICM (ignition control module)also...just my $.02....good luck tracking down that misfire...... 
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 6
From: Rowlett, TX
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
I forgot to mention that the check engine light comes on aboout 2 seconds after the engine starts. Both times I have tried to pull a code, I only get code 12. What could be causing this?
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