How to Replace the Ignition Coil in Ford Cars

by Contributing WriterUpdated June 12, 2017

This eliminates the need Ford car wires between the coil and spark plugs. Although you have fewer parts to maintain in the ignition system, problems with worn out coil's windings or internal circuit may result in a weak, intermittent or lack of spark. In this case, replace one or more faulty coil packs as needed without having to change the whole set of coils.

Under The Hood:

 How to Replace the Ignition Coil in a Ford Taurus

Follow property safety measures. At a minimum, you need to unhook the negative battery cable, isolate it and engage your emergency brake.

Locate the upper intake manifold. Remove it to expose the ignition coil on the engine's right side. You'll need a small screwdriver or wrench to undo the fasteners.

Release the electrical connector from the Ford Taurus ignition coil. Undo the mounting bolts that connect the ignition coil to the engine. Use a gentle twisting motion to release the Taurus ignition coil from the spark plug.

Apply a lubricant to the inside of the coil boots on the new ignition coil. Ford recommends a dielectric compound that meets specifications ESE-M1C171-A like Silicone Brake Grease and Dielectric compound D7AZ-19A331-A.

Install the new ignition coil and reconnect the coil to the mounting bracket and engine. Use a Torque wrench to tighten the mounting bolt with 53 inch pounds of torque (6 Nm). Also, reinstall the upper intake manifold.

Items you will need

  • Small screwdriver or wrench

  • Silicone Brake Grease and Dielectric compound

  • Replacement ignition coil

  • Torque wrench

 How to Replace the Ignition Coil in a Ford Explorer

Disconnect the cable that connects to the negative terminal of the battery. This prevents accidental electrocution as you work on your Ford Explorer.

Detach the electrical connector from the ignition coil. To do this, release the locking tang on top of the connector using a small, flathead screwdriver. Then pull off the connector.

Remove the noise suppressor from the front of the ignition coil. Unplug the electrical connector and remove the noise suppressor mounting bolt. You may want to consider using a torque wrench to improve accuracy while you replace your Explorer ignition coil.

Write down the numbering on the spark plug wires as they correspond to each coil high-tension terminal. You may want to wrap tape around each wire with the number to prevent mix-ups when you install the new ignition coil in your Ford Explorer.

Disengage the spark plug wire connectors from the ignition coil. You need to squeeze the two locking tabs on the opposite sides of each connector and pull up. Then, undo the mounting bolts that secure the ignition coil. Remove the old ignition coil and replace with the new ignition coil.

Coat the inside of each plug wire connector with silicone dielectric compound.

Reassemble the ignition coil by reversing the above steps.

Items you will need

  • Flathead screwdriver

  • Silicon dielectric compound

  • Torque wrench (optional)

 How to Replace an Ignition Coil Pack on a Ford 5.4L Engine

Open the hood and take off the air intake assembly from the top of the engine and the power-steering reservoir mounting bracket with a ratchet and deep socket, if necessary. This gives you more room around the coil pack you need to remove. Move the reservoir to the side but do not disconnect it.

Locate the coil pack you need to remove. Each spark plug has a coil mounted on top. Unplug the electrical connector from the coil pack. Unplug the fuel-injector electrical connector next to the coil pack, if necessary.

Unfasten the single bolt holding the coil pack to the engine block with a ratchet and ratchet extension and socket.

Pull up the coil pack carefully from the spark plug.

Install the new coil pack making sure the coil boot fits with a snap over the spark plug.

Fasten the coil pack single bolt with the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.

Plug the coil electrical connector and the fuel injector electrical connector, if you had to unplug it.

Replace the power steering reservoir and air intake assembly, if you had to remove them, and close the hood. Use the ratchet and deep socket.

Items you will need

  • Ratchet

  • Deep socket

  • Ratchet extension

  • Socket

 How to Replace the Ignition Coil Pack in a Ford Focus

Understand basic safety procedures. Any time you work on your Ford Focus, you should set the emergency brake and disconnect the negative, or ground, cable from the battery. Some mechanics recommend you isolate the cable to prevent accidental contact, which could spark a connection.

Release the spark plug wires from the Ford Focus ignition coil pack. You may need to pinch or press a release to unlock the wires.

Use a socket set or a small wrench to unbolt the ignition coil connectors. You also need to undo the capacitor electrical connectors. As you work, make note of which connectors go where--this pays off you when you reassemble the parts.

Locate the bracket that holds the ignition coil pack and the electrical capacitor in place. Undo the fasteners that secure them.

Separate the Ford Focus ignition coil pack from the mounting system. Replace the old Focus ignition coil pack with a new one. Verify the new ignition coil pack works with your engine, even if you use a universal ignition coil pack.

Reassemble the parts. If you have a Torque wrench, use it to tighten the ignition coil bolts with 7 inch pounds of torque (10 Nm).

Items you will need

  • Socket set or wrench

  • Replacement ignition coil pack

  • Torque wrench (optional)

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