What are some symptoms of bad coils?

[Herblenny]

Just wondering what are some symptoms of bad coils??

[ZGN]

Ignition breakup, Stumbling at boost. you probably can do some test on it via an ohm meter to test. also with the PFC you can advance or retard the Leading or trailing @ idle to test.

you should know this lol you convinced me to go with the HKS TP! it works great with a new coil!

[Herblenny]

LOL! Its for the 8 Kevin!

[WE3RX7]

My co-workers '04 8 was diagnosed w/ the bad coils...

His first sign was the car wouldnt start well at all... had to crank for a while. It also had bad idle...

[Herblenny]

Well, I was stranded 200 miles away from home yesterday..

Wouldn't start and i had to get the 8 towed home.. Its very frustrating..

But after thinking, I think its the coils..

I think the coils heated up and put the car into a limp mode. When the coils were too hot it would not allow me to crank it.

Once got home (and recharged the battery as it died from trying to start while the engine was hot) it started right up.

I'm going to Trussville Mazda after work to pick up 4 x new coils and new wires! Hope it fixes it! or 8 isn't going to DGRR and I'll be selling this car!!

[85rx-7gsl-se]

Wow Phil, hate to hear you broke down.

[WE3RX7]

Wow - that sux Phil. I'll trade you my GSL-SE for your 8

It sounds like coils though... my co-workers never completed died, but had similar issues with not started, etc.

[I8U]

The coils on the 8 are notorious for going bad, quickly. It has a lot to do with their location...I'm working on a mod to move the coils farther away from the engine and possibly drilling some holes on the coil mounting plate to increase the cooling airflow. I'll post up my findings and put up pics along the way.

[Herblenny]

I replaced all my coils and wires today.

I have to say, it was quite easy to replace. Took me about 30 mins to replace all and without really taking ton of shit off. I was dreading that I might have to take my AutoEXE strut brace but didn't have to..

New coils were pretty cheap.. I thought I'll be spending 100+ each but all 4 were in 100 range (under 130 for all). Since I didnt have time to order upgraded wires, I just got the Mazda OEM ones for under 60.

With long 10mm socket, I took each coil and wires off and replaced them from rear to front. Again... total of about 30 mins.

After installing the new coils, started up (cranked better but idles hunted a little), and went for a drive.

I got the car warmed up, took it on an interstate... tried to hit red line in 4th gear and when i hit 6.5K, it cut off... I shift up and I was able to keep pulling the car.

I filled up the tank and got back on the interstate and in 3rd, I was able to hit red line without an issue and it was nice and smooth!

I shift up and hit 7-8k in 4th with out any issues.

So, I think all is well with the new coils and wires.. Next test will be the drive from Bham to the DGRR.

[WE3RX7]

Thats so odd though. It died once after replacing the coils, but since then has been fine. Perhaps the PCM was learning?

[Herblenny]

LOL! Thanks Kevin!! I'll have to think about your offer

Bill, I've heard that PCM has to re-calculate the voltage on the new coils or something.. But after the fill up, I had no issues and idle was perfect.

I should also mention that when I got the ECU flashed with the new update. The guy pulled the info out and said I had some mis fires. So, when I was thinking, my break down was most likely over heated coils. As, soon as I got the car home, it cranked up!

What I'm going to do from now on is just replace the coils when I'm changing out the sparks. I guess I'll just think of it as 30K tune up that costs $300. I guess in terms of piston engine, Timing belt every 60K

[WE3RX7]

Yea - when I test drove the 8 I have now it through a misfire code, but never had any issues since I cleared it. I hope my coils dont go out. I did keep an extra set of them though just in case!

Did you get the most recent flash from 3/14? My car goes into the stealership Thursday morning and I'm debating about letting them do that or not...

[Herblenny]

I got the latest flash.. Got it done last thursday (maybe wednesday).

With the new coil, the car feels like NEW! true test will be at the DGRR.. so, either you'll see my car there or see it on a trailer

[I8U]

Originally Posted by RotaryResurrection

So you are bringing the 8 and not the FD?

That should make the 8 owners somewhat happier...I was told that they did not feel welcome at DGRR because the 7 owners would not talk to them. Oddly enough, exactly how I felt when I went to their BOTD which I also sponsor.

You were at the BOTD event lastyear? I didn't even know...my bad. Anyways, that group of 8 owners is a little different than most...they hail form the rx8web and are really more of a family than a club, it is hard sometimes to except new people when you're not around them all the time.

[Herblenny]

Kevin,

I'm going to bring both.. I'll probably drive the 8 to the event as I need to finalize few things in the car with the seminar speaker (SPOautos).

I'm going to let Adam drive my FD.

I haven't been to the BOTD.. but I might try to go this year..