2nd ignition coil gone bad in three months ...

[scrooster]

Couple of quick questions.

2004 4.0L 4wd 200k+ miles, just diagnosed 2nd ignition coil in three months has gone bad. January it was #6, this time it is #4.

Should I just go ahead and replace the other five now, at the same time, or just hold off, only do #4 and replace the rest as they go bad one at a time?

Secondly, how difficult is it to replace these things?

I had new plugs (platinum) and plug wires put on last May so those are not a problem, I just need to replace coil #4. I've not yet figured out if 4 is driver's side or passenger's side but I'm hoping the Haynes is gonna help me figure all of this out without too much trouble.

Lastly, Toyota wants $150.00 for a new coil, Advance Auto and Autozone both want about $90.00 for a new coil, but I have found them much less expensive online naturally. 1A Auto Parts in particular seems to have a great deal on these and they guarantee them to be up to factory OEM specs. Anything I should be wary of? I'm thinking of just ordering all six at one time ($143.00 for six from 1A Auto Parts), and even if y'all tell me to only replace them as they go bad I'll still have spares laying around in my spare parts cabinet. I've heard you can get a bad coil, even ordering from Toyota, at times.

Thanks in advance men. Appreciate any help.

 

[wolf4runner]

I dont think you need to change them all. this isnt a common problem AFAIK.

 

[scrooster]

I dont think you need to change them all. this isnt a common problem AFAIK.

Thanks. Okay, well I just ordered two of them so I'd have a backup. $79.90 and they are the "house brand" but she says they are built in the same factory that the Delcos and others are built in and they have a 1 yr guarantee, if it goes bad they replace it free of charge and pay the shipping.

They have sold 120 of them so far with no returns and the reviews seemed solid.

Now if I can only figure-out how to number these coils - the manual doesn't show it and looking under the hood they are not numbered as far as I can tell.

There must be a logical order front to rear, left to right, I dunno? I'm going to be replacing #4.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

If you are going to get rid of this 4runner soon just do the minimum required and get rid of it. There seems to be a lot of buyers willing to buy 200k mile 4runner for good money thinking it will last another 200k.

 

[wolf4runner]

Thanks. Okay, well I just ordered two of them so I'd have a backup. $79.90 and they are the "house brand" but she says they are built in the same factory that the Delcos and others are built in and they have a 1 yr guarantee, if it goes bad they replace it free of charge and pay the shipping.

They have sold 120 of them so far with no returns and the reviews seemed solid.

Now if I can only figure-out how to number these coils - the manual doesn't show it and looking under the hood they are not numbered as far as I can tell.

There must be a logical order front to rear, left to right, I dunno? I'm going to be replacing #4.

Hi, u noticed you use the Haynes manual, do you have this one too? http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/100275-service-manual-download-links.html

 

[scrooster]

If you are going to get rid of this 4runner soon just do the minimum required and get rid of it. There seems to be a lot of buyers willing to buy 200k mile 4runner for good money thinking it will last another 200k.

Not planning on getting rid of it anytime soon. Bought it new, have taken good care of it, plan on running the wheels off of it and trying to put a half million miles on it before I hand it down to one of the kids. I put over 400k miles on my 8100 and over 300k on my Supra.

Hi, u noticed you use the Haynes manual, do you have this one too? http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/100275-service-manual-download-links.html

I had not ... thank you - just downloaded those, much appreciated.

 

[stevec5000]

I dont think you need to change them all. this isnt a common problem AFAIK.

It's probably just a fluke but manufacturers do have a run of bad parts from a supplier sometimes. My buddies '95 Nissan Maxima had several fuel injectors go bad once because they got a bunch of them that had a bad crimp on the connector that goes to the coil inside so they would fail after a few years when the connection opened. Ignition coils could have a similar problem I guess. It's rare but it does happen.

 

[scrooster]

I replaced #4 and it is running a whole lot better ... still doing a little skipping when coming to a stop though. Machine shows "intermittent skip" but does not designate another bad coil.

Just had new plugs and wires put in this past May so I dunno - maybe it needs to be idled-up.

Engine light it blinking.

Hate like heck to have to take it to the dealer.