How to test ignition coils?
 

I'm experiencing what I think is a misfire in my Buick that's killing my gas mileage (~20 MPG, mostly highway :eek:). I feel it most definitely when the car is at a stop -- uneven and rough pulsing through the steering wheel -- and also sometimes smell a twinge of unburnt gas after highway rides (but not on local rides, even when they last at least as long as the highway ones).

I guess my first question is to ask if you guys agree with my misfire diagnosis or not and if you think the unburnt gas smell is related to the misfire or not.

My second question, assuming that you would agree that I have a misfire, is: How should I test the coils? I've already replaced the spark plugs and am just going to replace the plug wires, since they are 20 years old and NAPA wires are $35 for a set, but I'd like to try testing the coils so that I don't spend $100 buying three new coils when I am assuming I don't have to.

How to test ignition coils?
 

Obd2 should throw a code for a bad coil, but check the spark at each plug. If one of the could went it will misfire every 3 ignitions, since each one has 2 plugs correct ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Also which iteration of the engine is it? I know at least on the 2.8s they had fuel pump/pressure problems (had it go on my celebrity too). I'm not sure about the 3.1/3.4 which are essentially the same


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mine is a 1994 -- first year for the 3.1 L. It's OBD-I,and although there are ways to read OBD-I codes, I thought it would be more interesting to try to diagnose it myself.

Easy way to test the coils is to pull the plugs one by one and visually check the spark. You'll probably want to unplug the fuel pump or something so it doesn't start up on you, unless you're ok holding it while the engine misfires. Also if you do this make sure you are NOT the ground, those things kick. It's simple and crude but works.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Don't allow the misfire to persist for too long, as you might be sending some unburned fuel down the exhaust system and overheating the cat.

A fuel leak would do those things for you as well.

Yeah you would smell it though. Also the car would more likely misfire at higher rpm than low. I wouldn't count. Out the alternator either, at low rpms it might now be giving enough electricity. Jooseppi try turning on and off some accessories when the car is doing it, see if there is any difference. Might not be enough to illuminate the battery ought.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pulling the wire off of each plug , in turn, of a running engine, :eek:is one way to check for spark

Hm, OK. How do I make sure I'm not the ground?
I can try that, but the alternator was replaced maybe 5,000 miles ago by the PO (since the car had been sitting for a good while), so I'd be surprised if it's that, since the battery/alt made it great through single-digit starts this past winter.
I did this many years ago when first screwing around with the engine on our lawnmower. YOW!

Ooh, good point.

Sure. Allow me to point you to the OP #1 to whit:

Don't be grounded to the vehicle and you are unshockable. As shocking as this may seem :D

I interpreted that as cat smell


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Duh, makes sense.