How to test coil pack on DD

[4spdragtop]

Hi all, over the weekend my DD started to stumble/stutter/stagger. Car is 2006 Kia Spectra 5 4 cyl auto and has 195000 kms on it.
I bought plugs to replace tomorrow as I havent put plugs in it since I bought it 1 1/2 years ago. Dumped a can of Seafoam in it and put 30 kms in it with no change. Im thinking possibly a coil pack?
Anyone know a good way to test? I have a multimeter.
**Maybe unrelated but the car has developed in intermittent squeal the past month or so. Comes and goes. I havent been able to identify the squeal yet(ps pump, bearing, alt bearing, tensioner bearing etc etc) Just thought I would mention the intermittent squeal.
By the way it didnt squeal all weekend but has the stumble stagger nonsense.

Thanks
Steve

 

[RustyRatRod]

Take it and have it scanned at your local parts store. See if it has a random misfire code, or if it has a specific code. P0300 is random. 301 is #1, 302 is #2, etc.

If it has a specific code, say, a p0302, swap #2 coil with another and see if the misfire moves to that cylinder. If it does, you know the #2 coil was bad. It may simply need plugs, though.

 

[4spdragtop]

I cant remember if I gave it plugs when I bought it with 140 kms on it, now at 195 so Im at least going to swap new ones in.
I would have to take it to local shop to get scanned, and last time I had that done is was pretty close to $100, with NO guarantees on results/diagnosis.
Im thinking if I pull wire from plug, ground wire to block and look for change?
Thanks Rob

Take it and have it scanned at your local parts store. See if it has a random misfire code, or if it has a specific code. P0300 is random. 301 is #1, 302 is #2, etc.

If it has a specific code, say, a p0302, swap #2 coil with another and see if the misfire moves to that cylinder. If it does, you know the #2 coil was bad. It may simply need plugs, though.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I cant remember if I gave it plugs when I bought it with 140 kms on it, now at 195 so Im at least going to swap new ones in.
I would have to take it to local shop to get scanned, and last time I had that done is was pretty close to $100, with NO guarantees on results/diagnosis.
Im thinking if I pull wire from plug, ground wire to block and look for change?
Thanks Rob

You could do that, but I think a better way would be to simply unplug the electrical connector to the coil packs one at a time looking for a change. Does that even have plug wires? I was thinkin the coil sat directly on the plug there......I could be wrong. Also, if the coil packs have separate coil boots between them and the plugs and the boot does not come with the new coil pack, I would also replace the coil boots as well.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Oh and you should be able to find a very reasonable OBDII code scanner somewhere......even if on Ebay. We sell one at work for like 29 bucks. WELL worth the money.

 

[AJ/FormS]

I don't know a whole big bunch about EFI, but
When the temperature and humidity change rapidly as they have here in the past week, it seems my crankcase accumulates more moisture than normal, especially if the car is driven for only a short period of time and several times in a row.Pop your oilcap and check it for sludge. Stick your finger in the hole and try to pluck some slime out from the underside of the valvecover. If you find it,and if you have an intake mounted MAP sensor, remove it from the engine flush it with a product like Brakleen,and gently, very gently,blow the oily condensate out of it. Bolt it back on and roadtest.
The ECU may not throw a code when this occurs, but it can sure mess up the EFI when it doesn't work quite right.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Here's a very reasonable code reader. From there, all you need to do is use Google and you can find out most any cause for the code.

OBDII Scanner Code Reader CAN OxGord MS300 OBD2 Scan Tool Diagnostic | eBay

 

[4spdragtop]

Thanks Rob yes there are plug wires. 2 coil packs are mounted on drivers side and wires run up over top of engine.
I haven't looked close to see what type of connections are at coil. Im assuming since each pack feeds 2 plugs that there are 2 connections.
Yeah I'll price out the OBD scanner but they arent as cheap here as they are down there lol
Any recommended makes?
Thanks again

You could do that, but I think a better way would be to simply unplug the electrical connector to the coil packs one at a time looking for a change. Does that even have plug wires? I was thinkin the coil sat directly on the plug there......I could be wrong. Also, if the coil packs have separate coil boots between them and the plugs and the boot does not come with the new coil pack, I would also replace the coil boots as well.

 

[4spdragtop]

Thanks AJ yep short trip to work, its around 10 kms each way.
I think I have the special spray for the MAP sensor. I tried the stuff on the IAC on my F150.
Thanks!

I don't know a whole big bunch about EFI, but
When the temperature and humidity change rapidly as they have here in the past week, it seems my crankcase accumulates more moisture than normal, especially if the car is driven for only a short period of time and several times in a row.Pop your oilcap and check it for sludge. Stick your finger in the hole and try to pluck some slime out from the underside of the valvecover. If you find it,and if you have an intake mounted MAP sensor, remove it from the engine flush it with a product like Brakleen,and gently, very gently,blow the oily condensate out of it. Bolt it back on and roadtest.
The ECU may not throw a code when this occurs, but it can sure mess up the EFI when it doesn't work quite right.

 

[4spdragtop]

Looks like a great deal thanks!

Here's a very reasonable code reader. From there, all you need to do is use Google and you can find out most any cause for the code.

OBDII Scanner Code Reader CAN OxGord MS300 OBD2 Scan Tool Diagnostic | eBay

 

[RustyRatRod]

Looks like a great deal thanks!

You're certainly welcome. I am fairly decent on computer diagnosis. Good enough I made a living at it. Let me know if I can help.

 

[4spdragtop]

Heres pics of setup also of plugs witha .060" gap! Specs are .039-.043 lol

 

[AJ/FormS]

Whooee!

 

[4spdragtop]

Lol thats what I thought AJ! Worst set of plugs I've ever changed.
I knew it was spark related when I pulled #3 wire and no change. Pulled the plug and WOW Lol
Thanks for chiming in

Whooee!

 

[4spdragtop]

Here is a cool you tube video I found

 

[TrailBeast]

Don't suppose the air filter has been checked or changed has it?

Yea, those plugs are DONE.
Wouldn't surprise me one bit if that was the case of your problem.
Oh, and put some NGK's in it so it runs like it's supposed to.

Bossy f****r huh?

 

[4spdragtop]

Yeah NGKs went in. #4 plug basically had zero electrode showing lol. All 4 plugs had serious deterioration on the metal tang.
Air filter changed or cleaned every oil change.
Disconnected battery to clear code/CEL.
Bossy? Im immune to it. I've lived with women lol. Another one of the invaluable lessons learned from Dad.

Don't suppose the air filter has been checked or changed has it?

Yea, those plugs are DONE.
Wouldn't surprise me one bit if that was the case of your problem.
Oh, and put some NGK's in it so it runs like it's supposed to.

Bossy f****r huh?

 

[TrailBeast]

Yeah NGKs went in. #4 plug basically had zero electrode showing lol. All 4 plugs had serious deterioration on the metal tang.
Air filter changed or cleaned every oil change.
Disconnected battery to clear code/CEL.
Bossy? Im immune to it. I've lived with women lol. Another one of the invaluable lessons learned from Dad.

Hey, wait a minute.
Is there a remark buried in there somewhere?