Engine died while I was on the interstate, the car started jerking then the engine stopped making any power at all. When I clutched in it died completely. It restarted after about 5 minutes one time, I drove for another 2 or 3 miles before it went out again. Tried cranking it on and off for an hour while I was waiting for the tow truck but it never restarted. Coils?

I took them out and got some pictures. Let me know if they appear bad. I know white spots are indicators but not sure signs, sorry I don't have a multimeter to test the resistance.

But is it possible it's the coils? I already ordered new coils wires and plugs in hopes that that's the problem. 130k miles now, so it could be compression, but it showed no signs before this. Also, it would have probably restarted when it cooled down but it never did.

Pics of the coils for reference. Spark plugs will come out in the next couple of days as the parts come in and I'll post pictures of those too.

 

Have you replace the fuel pump yet?

 

I haven't but that's next if this doesn't fix the problem. The reason I went with ignition first is because the coils and plugs are way past due for changing. Apparently these coils only last ~20k miles. I'd also noticed misfiring and loss of power at high RPMs (blinking CEL).

Any recommendations on aftermarket fuel pumps that are better than OEM if that turns out to be the problem?

 

There are some in the vendor section.

 

So I bit the bullet and bought a cheap multimeter. I tested the resistance according to this service bulletin and none of the coils had 0 or infinite resistance. Now it seems to me that doesn't necessarily mean that they're producing spark, just that it's a quick test to see if they're faulty.

I'm still going ahead with changing the coils plugs and wires but it was a little disheartening when they all passed.

Readings:
...........A-B..B-C...C-A
Coil #1 775 521 Infinite
Coil #2 770 518 Infinite
Coil #3 756 522 Infinite
Coil #4 816 521 Infinite

 

Are you referring to this pump perhaps? How does it compare to the OEM one? It's considerably cheaper.

 

I've read good things about it and it's a good price too.

 

When do you usually replace the fuel pump? Sorry, too lazy to search. I have 32k miles on the odometer. This might be one of the issues of my car, including the coils.

 

LOL, that's what my ignition coils looked like after 143,000 miles... I did encounter the same problem in addition to morning misfires(blinking CEL then solid) at initial start up. Stopped having the CEL after I changed the plugs then coils.

 

If it is misfire, you should have gotten a CEL.... checking that code would be the best way to go

 

^LytHka didn't mention any CEL popping. Were there any before your car went limp, LytHka?

 

I actually had been getting the blinking CEL when I held it steady at high RPMs, but I've had another CEL for my rear o2 sensor so maybe they conflicted or something? My o2 sensor CEL would come on and off every couple of drive cycles so maybe that's why I missed it.

I'm really hoping this fixes it though. Otherwise I'm going to have to replace the fuel pump and I don't have a fuel pump removal tool.

 

I read here last week that rear O2 reading isn't relevant but the front located in the manifold reading does. A blinking CEL could likely be a misfire.

 

Fuel pump usually at 100K. Some have gone bad earlier then that say about 80K.

 

Ordered my coils from finishline, opened the box to find 1 coil. Really? Who orders 1 coil? It said on the invoice 4 shipped, guess I can't fix my car until the rest come in.

Might try swapping the leading and trailing coils though, that might work.

 

Don't drive with blinking CEL....You've caused more damage by doing it...That's why other CEL came up...
How long have you been driving with blinking CEL? Might need a new cat soon...
After replacing the coils and plugs, seafoam your engine too, can't imagine how many crab would be in there.