DIY: Mazda Ignition Coils (with pics)
01-05-2013, 10:49 PM
#203
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Update. Removed and replaced all 4 ignition coils today. Hardest part was getting the stock air box out of the way (as most people say) but after that it really was not hard job at all. Advanced auto had the NGK plugs in stock but had to order the NGK wires which won't be in until next week so I plan on doing the plugs and wires at the same time, would have loved to do the coils, plugs and wires all at the same time but didn't work out as such. Regardless though, I did notice the car ran better and idled smoother with the new coils, maybe even got a little more power out of it. I imagine though once the new plugs and wires are in will make a big difference.
01-06-2013, 07:27 AM
#204
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You probably are getting more than just a little power back out of it...
A dyno day last year showed a gain of 28whp going from old coils/wires/plugs to brand new coils/wires/plugs: https://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shoo...-plugs-234383/
Not that you are modding for more power, you are eliminating power loss that you had.
A dyno day last year showed a gain of 28whp going from old coils/wires/plugs to brand new coils/wires/plugs: https://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shoo...-plugs-234383/
Not that you are modding for more power, you are eliminating power loss that you had.
01-06-2013, 07:43 AM
#205
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I started the process today but due to it getting too dark and not having a light i stopped and will continue the process tomorrow afternoon
I went ahead and got the bhr kit along with the spark plugs
I got the new spark plugs in, and i know for a fact i got them in the right places along with using anti-seize.
The issue at his hand, when i disconnected the coil packs i forgot which wire goes to which coil.
I hooked them up, i know i deff got L1&T1 coils correct but im unsure of the L2&T2 coils. is there anyway i can find out before completeing the install tomorrow?
If i didnt explain it well enough, im talking about the wires from the engine bay tht connect to the coils
I went ahead and got the bhr kit along with the spark plugs
I got the new spark plugs in, and i know for a fact i got them in the right places along with using anti-seize.
The issue at his hand, when i disconnected the coil packs i forgot which wire goes to which coil.
I hooked them up, i know i deff got L1&T1 coils correct but im unsure of the L2&T2 coils. is there anyway i can find out before completeing the install tomorrow?
If i didnt explain it well enough, im talking about the wires from the engine bay tht connect to the coils
1.) The harness is different lengths, so the shortest harness usually ends up being on the coil the furthest back towards the windshield.
2.) Not knowing what year your car is, this might not be correct, but my four plugs have one different color wire in the center position on each of the four harness plugs leading to the coils. See the first pic and then the pdf for the wire color key.
If I didn't get what you were saying and it is just the plug wire from the coils to the plugs then ignore me as others have answered.
Last edited by Mazurfer; 01-06-2013 at 07:51 AM.
01-06-2013, 11:28 AM
#206
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NO not all 4 Spark Plugs are the same, different Heat range and in RX-8's case different length.
All twin Rotaries have dual ( 2 Leading and 2 Training) (4) Spark Plugs even far back as 10A of 1967.
Then with two separate Distributors with a single Contact Breaker Points in each Dissy.
The single Distributor started back in 1973-4 with the REAPS system (13B and 12A, really a 12B) with one single larger dissy but with two separate breaker points inside, also used in 1st gen RX-7....then came the dummy looking Dissy or ''Crank Sensor come EI Distributor'' in same location in 1985 FC RX-7~.
Then the current system from the FD RX-7~....RX-8 uses the same Crank Sensor as FD and some Mazda bangers of the late 90's.
All twin Rotaries have dual ( 2 Leading and 2 Training) (4) Spark Plugs even far back as 10A of 1967.
Then with two separate Distributors with a single Contact Breaker Points in each Dissy.
The single Distributor started back in 1973-4 with the REAPS system (13B and 12A, really a 12B) with one single larger dissy but with two separate breaker points inside, also used in 1st gen RX-7....then came the dummy looking Dissy or ''Crank Sensor come EI Distributor'' in same location in 1985 FC RX-7~.
Then the current system from the FD RX-7~....RX-8 uses the same Crank Sensor as FD and some Mazda bangers of the late 90's.
01-06-2013, 03:37 PM
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Not real sure the people below understood you question, or maybe I didn't.........................but, if you are infact talking about the harness leading to the coils, there are a couple of things you can look at.
1.) The harness is different lengths, so the shortest harness usually ends up being on the coil the furthest back towards the windshield.
2.) Not knowing what year your car is, this might not be correct, but my four plugs have one different color wire in the center position on each of the four harness plugs leading to the coils. See the first pic and then the pdf for the wire color key.
If I didn't get what you were saying and it is just the plug wire from the coils to the plugs then ignore me as others have answered.
1.) The harness is different lengths, so the shortest harness usually ends up being on the coil the furthest back towards the windshield.
2.) Not knowing what year your car is, this might not be correct, but my four plugs have one different color wire in the center position on each of the four harness plugs leading to the coils. See the first pic and then the pdf for the wire color key.
If I didn't get what you were saying and it is just the plug wire from the coils to the plugs then ignore me as others have answered.
Hopefully it'll match up to mine, thank you!
btw its an 04
**edit: it seems to match up except the colored wires arent in the center, theyre the outter most wire
Last edited by griffin89; 01-06-2013 at 03:49 PM.
01-09-2013, 07:22 PM
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I effed up. So as i was tightening the 10mm nut to the bolt that holds the coil in place, i went a bet much leaned over and broke the bolt. The coil moves a little only if i mess with it. The intake pipe holds it down in place so it wont jump out of its place. IS this a big booboo??? should i even worry about it if it doesnt move much?????????
01-11-2013, 11:03 AM
#211
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Bothered by the sputtering idle I decided to take off the MAF and check/clean it. Took it off and looked at the sensor and it looked clean, pointed a flashlight in there and I didn't see any carbon build up or anything like that, the bulb though was a little dirty on one side, I'm guessing the side being blown at. Cleaned both spots anyway, the sensor and bulb and also wiped off residual grime on the entire unit just for good measure, O ring looked fine as well. Shook it dry and let it air dry some more and put it back on and went to start it up. About 2-3 minutes into the car warming up it started to so the same thing. Idle sputtering. Took it for a good 20 minute ride, took it on the highway got it up to about 90mph, took it home while stopping at some stop lights I noticed it was seemingly fine now. Wasn't sputtering like before, I wouldn't say the idle was perfect as I don't think they ever are with these cars but it definitely wasn't sputtering. Plan on doing the rest of the tune up tomorrow which now leaves cleaning the e-shaft sensor if needed, plugs and wires and hopefully my baby will be 100% 
01-12-2013, 07:53 AM
#213
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Yeah, clean the ESS.......it's free and easy.
While you're at it. Get some throttle body cleaner, take the accordion off, manually manipulate the butterfly valve and clean the pivot points along with both sides of the little ridge it comes to rest on when closing............use a rag and the throttle body cleaner, don't over soak it. I do spray it a little bit but mainly put the cleaner on the rag and then clean it that way.
I've added this to my normal maintenance list of things.
While you're at it. Get some throttle body cleaner, take the accordion off, manually manipulate the butterfly valve and clean the pivot points along with both sides of the little ridge it comes to rest on when closing............use a rag and the throttle body cleaner, don't over soak it. I do spray it a little bit but mainly put the cleaner on the rag and then clean it that way.
I've added this to my normal maintenance list of things.
01-12-2013, 01:03 PM
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My 2008 40th anniversary edition was acting up, lower eng/exh tone, slow pickup, hard to start- Mazda wanted over $900 to replace coils, plugs, and wires. After reading the DIY threads I was able to do it all myself for $250 and the car is like new again. This site and all the contributors are awesome!!! Thanks everyone for keeping me running
02-10-2013, 12:13 PM
#216
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Replaced my coils today in 30 mins. First time I've replaced them. Check engine, and miss fire gone. Car runs better than it ever has since I've owned it. Idles smoother and economy is noticeably different. Thanks for this awesome DIY!
03-11-2013, 03:14 PM
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Its unbelievable that a dealership would charge that much. I literally just did the coils, plus, wires on my wifes 09 r3, and it took me less than 30 minutes from start to finish. I think the total cost for everything was under $150 as well. She's about to hit 30k on hers so next weekend Im going to continue the 30k maintenance and change out the diff and tranny fluid, flush the coolant, and give it new brake pads all around.
03-30-2013, 12:53 PM
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Hello, I am currently doing my coils and I'm getting no where with trying to disconnect the coil from the connector. I know the DIY says to pinch, but how exactly? I was able to pull one out but the second one is just stuck and i was wondering what techniques other people used. I just don't want to keep pulling and stress out the wires.
03-30-2013, 05:16 PM
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Hello, I am currently doing my coils and I'm getting no where with trying to disconnect the coil from the connector. I know the DIY says to pinch, but how exactly? I was able to pull one out but the second one is just stuck and i was wondering what techniques other people used. I just don't want to keep pulling and stress out the wires.
03-31-2013, 07:12 AM
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Yes, I was able to finish the job. Glad there is Search inside the thread, I was able to find this post by pjr308
"I knew I had to pinch the clip problem was I didn't know where to pinch. For any newbies that are going to try this you need to push down on top at the very end where the wires come out. Then the coil comes right out."
Thanks Forum
Thanks Forum
