Is there something wrong with my ignition coils?

**Pontiac3800** · 08-20-2010

Hi im new to this forum but i guess i can just ask my questions here......... my grand prix its a base "normally aspirated" i think its called and when i start the car the engine starts like attempts to but then it does not work. after several times when i do it and rev the engine as soon as i start it it works. before it also died couple of times and mechanics had no clue what was wrong with it. so me and my brother tryed to mess with the coils because people thought its was that and we believe thats what it is since we take out the plugs like the two from one coil and start the car it worked on all of them but when i took out the first ones and try to have it start it did not work. so i guess the bottom two are messed up. should i buy 3 new coils from my autozone and see if that was the problem or is it something else. really appreciate the help

Again thnx for haveing me here and i just want to say if you guys know my buddies but thanks greeengtp(forget his last 3 #s of his name) for inviting me to this

and i like this site you guys are smart and have really cool cars, any1 want to help me make more friends

**cerick08GP** · 08-20-2010

Well, first off welcome. I think you will find this site will give more than enough opinions to most any question you might have.

Anyway, onward we go. I can tell you beyond a reasonable doubt that your problem is not your coils. I would guess it is a fuel issue or the MAF sensor. This is were knowing the year and mileage of you car would be nice. Hint hint.

The MAF can be tested fairly easily, just unplug it. With the car off disconnect the battery then pull the plug on the MAF. Reconnect the battery and see if it starts/runs “better”. If it does run “better” (because it won’t run perfect with it disconnected) the MAF is probably bad.

Also, have you scanned for any fault codes? AutoZone will actually do this for free.

**Pontiac3800** · 08-20-2010

Thank you and ya whats the MAF lol

have no clue what that is but i believe auotzone has tested that and they said everything is fine. my 07 has 85k miles and still in excellent condition. they did however tell me it can be the ignition coils. so what do you guys think should i buy it?

i also after this problem is dont i want to add more power to my car for it to go faster can i ask that question here or should i go to the performance/ parts section?

Thank you guys for having me here and really appreacite the help

**cerick08GP** · 08-20-2010

Lol

Well, you can change the coils if you like. They are cheap and easy to change out, that’s why people are just guessing to do it. But I’d keep the receipt, there is a 99.997% chance it is something else. For the coils to go bad on a 07 and not throw a code is nearly impossible. More over coils will usually work at the start and degrade as the engine (compartment) heats up. You can test them easy with a multi-meter, I could walk you threw the testing but you need an ohm meter. And if the people telling you to replace them knew anything about wtf they were talking about they would know to test them.

The MAF sensor is just past your air filter, the plug is attached to the side of the air intake tube. The plug should have 5 wires and be oval-ish in shape.

Also, has this problem just popped up or has it been building over time?

**Pontiac3800** · 08-20-2010

well before it had my car not start at all like months ago then its got better when i took the coils out and the module and cleaned it really good(the module) and then put it back in and it worked good just recently it has been not starting and i had to start it many times for it to work and sometimes rev the engine to make it work too. so ya we tested it out a little and the coil i thing is wrong because i had this car for 3 years and i brought it used and it used to be a rental car. before the battery died out because it was croted. so i think its because of that it could have done something to my coils. you think i should try switching it with new ones and see what happens im going to go right now to go buy them before they run out of stock and try them on. you think i should?

Appreciate the help i love this site already

**cerick08GP** · 08-20-2010

Wow, you are just focused on those coils. Listen, if a coil was bad it would throw you a misfire code. And that would give you check engine light, but since you don’t have a light it really can’t be a coil. But hey I have been wrong before. If it makes you feel better go buy ONE coil (~$40) and a cheap multi-meter (~$15). Also, there are a million of these cars finding a coil won’t be hard, don’t sweat it being in stock. You only need one, because for all 3 to be bad would be like winning the lottery two weeks in a row. If you buy the meter get back to me and I’ll take the time to write out the test, but don’t worry it is easy to test them.

If I was there looking at your car this is what I would do. #1 check the fuel pressure at key on, and at idle. #2 Clean the throttle body. Most ppl totally neglect the throttle body maintenance because the car is fuel injected right!?!

What happens is carbon (and crud) build up on the outlet of the throttle causing it to stick. This is also very easy to clean. Just unplug the throttle body cable. Spray in carb cleaner using your finger to hold open the throttle plate. Clean the walls and plate thoroughly, and that will eliminate this area as a potential cause.

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