Bad coil?

[E38 DXB]

Hi guys, one of my coels is not working, how can i know which one is not working???

[IcemanBHE]

My whats?

[BobsBimmer]

I am thinking that it's coil...

[kulgan]

Get your codes and put them up here.. Someone will be able to tell you which cylinder is missing then replace that one.

[E38 DXB]

I meant ignition coil

[E38 DXB]

Sorry guys my bad, i meant coil. Ignition coil...i dont have the computer to check for codes is there another way to find out which one is not working?!

[kulgan]

Sorry guys my bad, i meant coil. Ignition coil...i dont have the computer to check for codes is there another way to find out which one is not working?!

Buy a new one and put it in.. Then move the one you took out one space along the bank and continue doing this untill you fix the miss.

[Mayorchuck]

Sorry guys my bad, i meant coil. Ignition coil...i dont have the computer to check for codes is there another way to find out which one is not working?!

How do you know it is a coil? The computer, DME, will shut down a cylinder if it detects a misfire for any reason, i.e. bad plug, coil, coil boot, vacuum leak. Coils are not cheap. Most auto parts stores here will check codes for free. Do you have anyplace that offers this service?

[E38 DXB]

How do you know it is a coil? The computer, DME, will shut down a cylinder if it detects a misfire for any reason, i.e. bad plug, coil, coil boot, vacuum leak. Coils are not cheap. Most auto parts stores here will check codes for free. Do you have anyplace that offers this service?

the car shivers when i accelerate and the engine sounds like a truck engine...i think it is the coil cuz i had the same symptoms last time one of the coils was not working properly
there is a BMW garage very close to my house but they take hours to do a simple job. so i try my best not to go there unless it is an emergency.


Buy a new one and put it in.. Then move the one you took out one space along the bank and continue doing this untill you fix the miss.

Im going to do this...
Tnx man! :)
problem almost solved! :buttrock

[Saj8986]

Purchase a scanner....they are worth the minimal cost. :buttrock

[Sobek]

Yeah I really think you need to get the codes read first. 'engine sounds like a truck engine' doesn't strike me as something coil-related. There are so many other potential causes... if you're going to spend any money, invest in either getting the codes read or buy your own scanner.

Actually, just buy your own scanner. You're going to need it!

[Syndr]

+1 on getting a scanner or having the codes read.

If you do have a misfire on one or more cylinders, you can try just (carefully) unplugging one coil at a time while the engine is running. If there's no change in how it runs then that coil is either bad or that cylinder isn't firing for some other reason.

I'm not sure as to this being a 'recommended' method, but it worked for me in locating dead coils. Also, replacement coils can be had for pretty cheap off ebay, if you don't mind having used ones.

Definitely get the codes read first though.

[IcemanBHE]

Oh a COIL Ive heard of those.

Title changed

[David325e]

+1 to all of the things mentioned. Before you toss a coil in let us help out, if you've got some time to spare. Get us a few more details. Whats the mileage and condition of the car? Last tuneup?

And another cheap test to see which coil. Pull out your spark plugs. I would think that if one coil is not firing that plug will be drenched in gas. AKA smelly, black, and wet. You could also have something like a leaking injector. The bogging can be fuel starvation. But with noise and shaking I think you're on the right track with misfire. Spark plug boot cracked causing an arc, many things between battery and cylinder to check.