99 Ford Taurus SE...All three ignition coils go bad all at once?

Question

I've been told that all three went bad at the same time, or it's the car's computer, which would cost about the same amount to replace, but they won't know if it's the computer unless the coils are replaced first. Does this make sense, or are they just trying to get more money out of me? HELP!!!

I forgot to mention...it has a hard time starting and chugs quite a bit, but stays running. Is this possible with all three coils out? Thanks for all your answers!

Answer 1

No way Jose. First check all your fuses. Can you hear the starter crank the eng. over? If it doesn't the battery is dead.

The coils can be checked with a digital ohm-meter, just find the specs. and you don't have to guess on these. To say that three coils went bad at the same time is like saying three light bulbs went out at the same time. Very unlikely, almost impossible. If the did, go play the lotto. If the eng. cranks over I would check the coils last.

Computers do not go bad unless water or fire got to it or a dummy shorted it out. An accident can also short it out.

Begin by checking the following first:
If there is no spark at the plugs, check to see if there is pulse to the injectors. If there pulse, then the ignition module (igniter) is bad. The computer is ok.

If there neither, spark nor injector pulse, check for broken timing belt.

If there is spark and injector pulse present, did you catch a big bump when it stopped running? If you did the emergency fuel-pump-shut-off switch was activated. Just reset by pushing the red button, it works like a breaker fuse. The small car manual in your glove box will tell you exactly where it is located, usually in the trunk.

Good luck, Carl

Answer 2

It's not the coils, but there is a way to test. If all three coils are indeed bad you should be geting random misfire codes for all six cylinders (P0300 plus P0301-06) since bad coils will cause each cylinder to misfire. Replace just one coil and see if that helps those two cylinders (eliminates the misfires). If not, its not the coils.

I'm thinking ignition control module myself. Or even a crank position sensor. It could also be the PCM. In spite of what the above post said I have seen plenty go bad for no apparent reason. Sometimes they can be reprogrammed (flashed). Sometimes they have to get replaced.

Answer 3

there are only two way you can tell if the computer is bad and that is by making sure the coils are good and by taking the computer out of the car and hooking it up to a different computer.

Answer 4

well you could have a short in the coil packs and if so the it will tell the computer that its not working the computer in that year had no probems so i am thinking its just the coil packs as for rplae ment the coil packs should be alot cheeper then th computer for that car

Answer 5

It sounds more like the ignition control module is not functioning causing all coils to come up bad on scan.

Answer 6

I would bet bottom dollar you lost the torgue converter. Ford has a problem with many ot the Tarus and Windstar transmissions going out and customers are being charged for transmission rebuilds or replacements when the inner splines in the torque converter has stripped out. They are no bigger than a large pencil anyway. Autozone has one made in Tennessee by Daques?? for $174.00 that fixes the issue of the splines stripping out. Also I am also a ASE Master Mechanic and have fixed many Fords for people with this same issue that was going to be charges $3200 to fix and I did it for $400.

Answer 7

if it starts it's definately not all the coils, they are trying to scam you, I can see maybe one coil out but not all of them, I would take it to a real mechanic.