How to Identify a Bad Subaru Coil Pack
If you suspect that your Subaru coil pack may be bad, there are several signs and tests you can perform to diagnose the issue.
1. Testing Resistance:
– One way to test a Subaru coil pack is by measuring its resistance. The reading should be about 12,800 ohms, plus or minus 15%. If the reading is off, then the coil pack is bad and it needs to be replaced.
2. Loss of Fire or Spark:
– A common sign of a bad coil pack is a loss of fire or spark in one or more cylinders, leading to misfiring. This can cause a poor performing engine and drag on the crankshaft.
3. Check Engine Light:
– If you see a Check Engine light on the dashboard, it can be related to bad ignition coils, indicating a potential issue with the coil pack.
4. Symptoms Similar to Faulty Spark Plug:
– A faulty coil pack will generally have symptoms similar to a faulty spark plug, such as a rough idle and unexplainably louder-than-normal engine noise.
5. Poor Fuel Economy:
– When the ignition coil is not performing at its peak, the spark plugs may not receive the optimal voltage, leading to incomplete combustion in the engine and poor fuel economy.
6. Use of Multimeter:
– To isolate which coil pack is bad, you can use a multimeter to test each coil pack individually, which can save you money over replacing the whole set at one time.
7. Visual Inspection:
– Checking the condition of your ignition coils is as simple as taking off the cover and examining them for any cracks, breaks, or other visible signs of wear.
It’s important to note that the symptoms of a bad coil pack can vary, and using an OBDII scanner to pull trouble codes if the service engine soon light is on can help narrow down the issue.
If you suspect a problem with your Subaru coil pack, it’s advisable to consult a professional technician or your Subaru dealer for further diagnosis and repair.
Contents
- How can you check if a coil pack is bad?
- Will bad coil packs throw a code?
- Why do Subarus sound like they are misfiring?
- How do you test a Subaru coil pack?
- Can a car still run with a bad coil pack?
- What is the code P0300 on a Subaru?
- How do I know if my Subaru has a misfire?
- What is the easiest way to check an ignition coil pack?
- What is the best way to test a coil pack?
- What are the symptoms of a faulty coil pack?
How can you check if a coil pack is bad?
You can perform a visual inspection to look for cracks, burn marks, or carbon tracking. You can also swap the ignition coil to another cylinder to confirm whether it’s faulty. Other ways to check the condition of your ignition coil is to use a spark tester or a coil-on-plug.
Will bad coil packs throw a code?
Yes, a bad coil will definitely cause a check engine light. Typically, if it is just one going bad, the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code – the code that causes the light to come on – which can be read usually for free at most auto parts stores) will correspond to the cylinder that has the bad coil.
Why do Subarus sound like they are misfiring?
The 2.5-liter Subaru engine makes use of something called unequal length headers, which are exactly what they sound like. The header piping from cylinders one and three are of a different length than those from two and four.
How do you test a Subaru coil pack?
The only tool you’ll need is a digital multimeter to measure resistance. Open your hood and unplug all four wire pin connectors on the coil pack. Plug the multimeter leads into the left two outlets on the face of the coil pack. The resistance reading should be about 0.73 ohms, plus or minus 10%.
Can a car still run with a bad coil pack?
Can You Drive with a Bad Ignition Coil? If you’re rocking a single ignition coil, you probably won’t be able to start your car, let alone drive it. If you have a COP setup, it may be possible to drive your vehicle with a failed coil, but we advise against it since doing so can be unsafe and damaging to your engine.
What is the code P0300 on a Subaru?
What Does P0300 Mean? Code P0300 stands for “Random or Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected.” This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) indicates that your car’s computer has detected an engine misfire that’s random and/or appearing on multiple cylinders.
How do I know if my Subaru has a misfire?
You can identify a misfire by looking at the engine temperature gauge and listening for an irregular idle or engine noise. A faulty spark plug or ignition coil could be the cause of this and should be checked for damage before removing them from the car engine.
What is the easiest way to check an ignition coil pack?
Clip the black probe to pin one which is the most left in this four pin coil pack it should be the same for two pins or three pins coil pack next probe the lower connector with the red prod. For a
What is the best way to test a coil pack?
How to test the ignition coil pack?
- Step 1: Locate the ignition coil.
- Step 2: Power balance test.
- Step 1: Make sure your vehicle is turned off and access the ignition coil pack.
- Step 2: Remove an ignition pack.
- Step 3: Run a resistance or ohms reading test (with a multimeter).
What are the symptoms of a faulty coil pack?
8 Signs of a Faulty Ignition Coil
- Your Car Guzzles Gas.
- Your Car Feels Slow.
- You Hear Spluttering, Coughing, and Banging Noises.
- Your Car Idles Roughly and Vibrates.
- Your Car Misfires and Backfires.
- Your Car Stalls.
- You Struggle to Start Your Car.
- The Check Engine Light Is On.