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1999 Ignition coil problem


top_jimmy44
05-28-2008, 11:38 AM
Hello. I am having problems with my ignition coil.

Car - Chevy Cavalier - 1999
2.2 L engine

The problem started two weeks ago. I took my car to get the AC charged and the next morning, the car would start, but as soon as I put it in gear, it would sputter and stall. If I got the car up to speed, it would run and I could drive it, but it was still bogging down on hills and was very difficult to get up to speed from a stop.

My mechanic replaced the spark plugs and wires but the engine still gave misfire codes. He then replaced the ignition coil and it solved the problem.

A week went by and when I woke up this morning, the problem came back. I did not notice any problems with the car up until this morning when I tried to start it up. It did start and I was able to drive it to the shop again, but still had the same problem. The mechanic gave me a replacement part and I installed it and the problem is gone again.

He said that if it happens again, we could look at it and see if we could figure out what is frying the coil. It is only happening to the coil for cylinders 2 and 3. The coil for cylinder 1 and 4 is original and has never been replaced. What could possibly cause this to happen? If it was a defective part, that would make sense, but if it happens again, what should I look for?

Thanks.
Jim

Helmuth48
05-28-2008, 02:46 PM
My Air Cond broke the other day....but after what you have went through...I will just sweat and drink more cold tinnys. Beside we dont use the chill air, only when temp reach 45C or more.

Did you measure the primary and secondary resistance before you install them ???? If you still have the bad ones...What do they measure. (you know how to use a DVM ??

Did the mechanic get the same DTC's as before, when the original coil went bad ?

The only thing I know that can cause a coil to go bad, is extreme heat, or internal breakdown of the windings.

In the old days ....if you left the key on and the points were closed...it could overheat the coil and cause it to breakdown.

Maybe ???? there is a problem in your primary wiring to the coil, thus causing the voltage to stay on all the time, even with the key off ??? I call this a WAG.

JzJzz ....and the Man from Down Under.. Cheer Mate !

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