1996 Dodge Intrepid how do you know if the ignition coil is

DV_WASH

MEMBER
1996 DODGE INTREPID
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
123,000 MILES

I was wondering how can you tell if the ignition coil is going bad? Sometime my car will just shut down when I am driving and on other occasions it seems like it wants to start but it won't, I would have to wait 30 minutes to an hour and then it will start when I try it

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

To check the coil, you have to measure the primary and secondary winding resistances with an ohmmeter-next time it refuses to start don't wait-do below to determine if its fuel or spark problem.

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing