Ignition coils, '98 Malibu

External Since: Jan 13, 2007 Posts: 32

How finicky are AC Delco parts when it comes to replacing ignition coils?
Should it be an AC Delco coil that replaces the old coil pack? The reason I
ask is because yesterday, I was about 1/4 way into a 120 km trip when the
engine light comes on and the engine starts misfiring, eventually causing
the engine light to flash. I knew why the light had come on because the
same thing happened to me about two months after I bought this car. At that
time, I replaced the coil packs with used AC Delco units from one of my
brother-in-laws junked cars. They worked ok right up until yesterday.
Seeing as how it was Sunday and the only auto parts store that I knew was
open for sure was Canadian Tire, I picked up three new Nieoff brand coils
and installed them when I got home. Took the car out for a quick spin and
it was working great, the engine light was still lit, but not flashing.

This morning, I head off to work and notice the engine light has gone out.
About 1/4 way into the trip, I notice the engine start to stumble again and
the engine light comes back on. It starts flashing again. I couldn't turn
around because of the highway conditions and decided to continue on to work.
Aside from the odd misfire (which BTW didn't seem as bad as with the old
coils) and the engine light flashing and distracting me, the car was working
ok, but obviously not correctly.

Now, when I called the local GM dealership, the service manager told me that
in some cases, they have seen aftermarket coils cause the same symptoms, but
not in all cases. So this is why I wanted to ask the group and see what
others say. If the majority of the group says yes they've also had problems
with aftermarket coils, I will likely return the Nieoff coils to Can. Tire
and have to spend the extra $40 per coil on AC Delco coils.

Any opinions are greatly appreciated,
Sharky

External Since: Jul 11, 2005 Posts: 57

"Sharky" <cl_8ball DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:58aej.23694$wy2.13714@edtnps90...
> How finicky are AC Delco parts when it comes to replacing ignition coils?
> Should it be an AC Delco coil that replaces the old coil pack? The reason
> I ask is because yesterday, I was about 1/4 way into a 120 km trip when
> the engine light comes on and the engine starts misfiring, eventually
> causing the engine light to flash. I knew why the light had come on
> because the same thing happened to me about two months after I bought this
> car. At that time, I replaced the coil packs with used AC Delco units
> from one of my brother-in-laws junked cars. They worked ok right up until
> yesterday. Seeing as how it was Sunday and the only auto parts store that
> I knew was open for sure was Canadian Tire, I picked up three new Nieoff
> brand coils and installed them when I got home. Took the car out for a
> quick spin and it was working great, the engine light was still lit, but
> not flashing.
>
> This morning, I head off to work and notice the engine light has gone out.
> About 1/4 way into the trip, I notice the engine start to stumble again
> and the engine light comes back on. It starts flashing again. I couldn't
> turn around because of the highway conditions and decided to continue on
> to work. Aside from the odd misfire (which BTW didn't seem as bad as with
> the old coils) and the engine light flashing and distracting me, the car
> was working ok, but obviously not correctly.
>
> Now, when I called the local GM dealership, the service manager told me
> that in some cases, they have seen aftermarket coils cause the same
> symptoms, but not in all cases. So this is why I wanted to ask the group
> and see what others say. If the majority of the group says yes they've
> also had problems with aftermarket coils, I will likely return the Nieoff
> coils to Can. Tire and have to spend the extra $40 per coil on AC Delco
> coils.
>
> Any opinions are greatly appreciated,
> Sharky
I have no experience or knowledge about your coils but it seems to me that
you likely have another problem. Coils in general are very reliable and
having so many fail on one car is not even logical.

It is possible that the mis-firing has caused partial blockage of the
catalytic converter because of the excess burning of the unburned fuel in
the exhaust. My advice would be to have the car thoroughly checked by the
dealer or other very competent service agency. You should not have to pay
for anything that does not provide long term solution of the problem.

Good luck. Don Young