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Coil Packs keep failing

Tiny
PACKERS27
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD F-150
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
When I crank up the truck, it idles and runs badly. About two miles down the road, I can stop, put it in park then back in drive and all of a sudden it drives great. When I reach a destination, I cut the truck off and when it is started again, it does the same thing all over again. The truck does not have to be cut off long. As for the codes, all of the codes for coil packs show up. Primary circuits high low or whatever. I think it is P0351 and so on. Also have a P1132. P1132 is usually always there. P1151 shows up often too. Gutted catalytic converters play a role in one of those codes. They were stopped up so gutting them was the route I took. The coil pack codes from the scanner describe the packs as B-H. The plugs and packs was replaced and the truck ran normal for a day or two then back to the same routine.

Work I have done to the truck that may be noteworthy is as followed : gutted catalytic converters, new water pump, new plugs and packs and a couple of downstream o2 sensors.

Also, fuse 23 keeps blowing. It powers my blinkers, four wheel drive solenoid, ABS and overhead console. I cannot seem to track it down.

Anyway, what is going on with my coil packs?
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Friday, February 2nd, 2018 AT 6:21 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning.

The first thing I would do is check your grounds, especially at the battery and from the engine to the body. Bad grounds are common reason for this.

Check the connectors for the coils as well. Make sure there is no damage to the main wiring harness as well.

Roy
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Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 AT 5:20 AM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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  • 187 POSTS
Where exactly would the grounds be from the engine to body? The battery terminal is fine.
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Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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The engine like the valve covers to the firewall, radiator support to battery.

Bad grounds are a common reason for this failure.

Roy
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Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 AT 1:51 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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  • 187 POSTS
Any more information on this subject?
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Wednesday, February 7th, 2018 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Have you done the checks I suggested?

Roy
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 1:06 AM
Tiny
PACKERS27
  • MEMBER
  • 187 POSTS
Yes. Everything that I have seen checked out fine.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 5:22 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Did you check the harness for any damage? Check to see if the harness is near anything hot and for damage?

Roy
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 6:46 AM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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Yes I did
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 7:41 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Something is there that is causing these codes. Let me look around on the codes.

Roy
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 7:51 AM
Tiny
PACKERS27
  • MEMBER
  • 187 POSTS
Okay. Also, the harness you speak of is located where? I want to make sure I am looking at the right one.
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 7:57 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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The harness to the O2 sensor.
The harness on the valve covers for the coils and injectors.

Roy
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Thursday, February 8th, 2018 AT 8:00 AM
Tiny
PACKERS27
  • MEMBER
  • 187 POSTS
I have had a code for P1132 ( O2S11). I have been trying to find a way to get the harness off of the lead harness. There is no slack and hard to reach. I can easily take it off of the exhaust. I have no idea where that harness goes. I am assuming to the PCM, but when I look at the PCM, there is a lot of individual wires coming off and they split off and are taped.
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Friday, February 16th, 2018 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Some of the wires go to the inside of the truck, some go to the PCM and some go to the fuse block.

Look under the truck by the exhaust where the O2 sensors are located. See if any are touching the exhaust and have caused damage.

Roy
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Friday, February 16th, 2018 AT 3:17 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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Is it possible that a loose wire from the alternator harness can cause these problems? All of my lights surged but I fixed it finally. Have not seen any codes since then but it is only been one day.
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Saturday, March 17th, 2018 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Yes, a voltage surge from the alternator could cause coil damage.

What or how did you determine the coils failed?
Did you replace the boots as well?

Roy
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Sunday, March 18th, 2018 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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I had the coil packs replaced about six months ago because it was throwing codes and the coil packs looked old. I replaced them and the plugs. The boots are made into the COPs. When I replaced them, they worked for about two days and back to the same ole thing. Apparently the coil packs were not shot. They did have low circuit codes PO351 and so on.

Anyway, my battery dash light kept flashing and all interior lights, including headlights pulse nonstop. I figured it was alternator. After I took it off then I un-clipped the harness and something told me to look into the plastic tube covering and when I did I saw that there was a splice and one of the wires was not in the crimp terminal very good and it just pulled out. Since the alternator was already out I went to The Parts House and got them to check it anyway and it showed up good. Then I knew it was that wire. I cut the wires and re-spliced it and taped it up and put it back on the truck and ever since then I have not had any codes or any lights pulsating.
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Monday, March 19th, 2018 AT 8:18 AM
Tiny
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Good find.

Roy
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Monday, March 19th, 2018 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
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Thanks.
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Tuesday, March 20th, 2018 AT 8:26 AM
Tiny
PACKERS27
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So going back to the coil packs. There is something causing this. It is not the packs or plugs. I am getting six of eight COP codes after they were replaced. Same as before. I do not get any other codes on my scanner. What can cause this, other than the obvious? If there is grounds that are responsible, where are they exactly and is there any parts that could cause this that does not throw a code?
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Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 3:26 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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The PCM controls the grounds. It uses that as a signal to fire the coil. Check the connections at the PCM for any damaged or loose pins.

I attached a diagram for you to show you the wires go back to the PCM.

You need to check the wires. If the wires are okay, you may have a bad PCM.

Roy
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Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 4:22 PM

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