My RX turns over and struggles to start properly, then it runs fine at higher revs, but has flat spots on low revs through the gears. I've changed the spark plugs with slight improvements, but could 1 or more of my coils be failing? Any help pls, not a major one but still annoying!!

 

Yes, it could be a coil. I'm assuming you have no check egine light being lit?

It could also be the beginnings of a clogged CAT, but I wouldn't worry about that yet.

How many miles you have on the coils?

If you want to check the coils, then see below.

Also, you might want to think about changing your plug wires if the have really high miles on them?

When you changed the plugs, are you certain that the wires went on right and clicked? One of the leading ones has a tendency to fail off.

 

Hi
Thanks for the info, i will check the coils out.
I don't have any engine lights on the dash, and hopefully the cat is purring ok as i had a service about a month ago with no problems!

Forgot to say that I changed the HT leads when i did the plugs, but i will check the connections, as if there is a problem I reckon its with the lead side of the ignition.

Not sure how many miles the coils have done, as i got the rx on 52K and its now on about 65K but could have done many more before I bought it.

Thanks for helping.

 

04's are known to have weak starters, but don't know if you are an 04? Lots of 04's have the starter replaced with the upgraded one. I assume your battery is okay and connections are clean?

I'd still check the coils. These are known to not get more than about 35k total on them before they go.

And.....of course the starter wouldn't have anything to do with any flat spots in the rev range. However, you should look at some of the dyno curves on this site and just be sure what you are feeling isn't normal. They are a couple of certain RPM's where you might say it goes flat for an instant.

Least you don't have to spring for new wires! Hopefully the were decent ones.

 

check batteries.

 

Yeah had the car checked for all upgrade mods, the starters been done already which is good for my wallett.
I will check the coils this week, and i guess i could be being too critical since the main problem was fixed. The guy who did my service got me started when he said if the ignition plays up then it could lead to CAT failure, and about a £900 hole in my pocket!

Checked your garage out, nice motor, liking the mods on it, specially the wheels. Bet its a laugh to drive out there on the bigger roads, I get bounced about a lot here on the small country roads, not had the bottle to turn the traction control off yet! Just wish we had your gas prices!!!

Take it easy

 

Will do, thanks.

 

Thanks.
Yep...........is a blast, but no hills in flat Florida!
Yeah.....we bitch and it's about $3.00 US a gallon. We really have no right to complain.
He's right about ignition leading to CAT failure, but in my opinion, that's usually someone not starting repeatedly due to plugs or coils and flooding the engine. This leads to having excess fuel dump into the CAT where it proceeds to eventually ignite and burn it up. I've read about quite a few people who will have mis-fires due to coils or plugs, ignore it for quite some time, then start having no starts(not hard starts, but no starts) and then proceeding to take out the CAT.
CEL's should be read right away and dealt with.