WHY WOULD A COIL PACK GO BAD

2002 DODGE CARAVAN
180,000 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MADMAX4123
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  • 2 POSTS
i was taking a ride about an hour from home, and the van made a noise think maybe a back fire and them it just would not run right it was missing badly. checked for codes 0302 miss on cylinder tow checked for spark no spark on the middle two in the coil. replaced coil and plugs(they really needed it), it ran really good for a few weeks then bam, my wife calls me it is acting up again. I do not want to keep replacing coils every few weeks. I would like to find out whats wrong.
Oct 25, 2016 at 10:06 AM
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HMAC300
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 48,601 POSTS
with misfires and especially a problem like yours have a mechanic look at it as he can put his scanner on it and track things down causing this. this is your best and cheapest option for this due to so many things can cause this.
Oct 26, 2016 at 12:25 AM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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Yep I have seen this problem before, you must replace the plug wires as well. Also get a good coil such as an AC Delco or a OEM from Dodge. The price is a little more but it will last the way it is suppose to.

Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken
Oct 26, 2016 at 7:17 AM
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MADMAX4123
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well it turns out the muffler blew out a seam so I really can't tell whats going on change the coil again and got a new code 0172 I havent looked it up yet and I just saw your reply, the way the motor is running it just sounds like its going to blow up. and right now I wish it would
.
Oct 27, 2016 at 12:09 PM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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Yep frustration is the trade mark of working on cars, but hang on we can get through it. Lets remove all the spark plugs and do a compression test, go to an auto parts store and rent one. This will let us know if we have an engine to work with.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Oct 27, 2016 at 4:09 PM
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HMAC300
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 48,601 POSTS
your fuel pressure is to high for the 172 code check with a gauge key on only. see pic and link.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Oct 27, 2016 at 11:42 PM
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