Static from faulty coils?

[bajabaum]

My '03 LS V8 (57K) started sputtering and went into ETC Safe Mode today, so I took it to the dealership. This has happened once before, but the check engine light has never come on.

The dealership called me back and said that the gaskets are fine, but they recommended replacing all 8 coils to the tune of $950 or so. They also said it's not covered under my powertrain warranty. I asked what was wrong with the coils, and they said that they are generating static similar to radio static, which is screwing with the computer and causing it to go into the safe mode.

Anybody heard of this? Does it sound plausible? I did a pretty comprehensive search, and didn't turn up anything about coils creating static. It sounds kinda suspect to me. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[97stscaddy]

I read some about this not too long ago. Usualy coil number 4 causes the trouble because it is the closest to the computer or something.
In the few threads I read about similar troubles it was always coil number 4. Maybe you could swap it with another coil and see if it changes anything?

 

[02V8Sport]

Coils from Max at Five Star Ford or Bill at Team Ford for all 8 brand new run about $320 and the labor to put those in is a joke. Do it yourself.

 

[Quik LS]

yes - actually it is a surprise to see a dealer get it right.

Usually the DTC code misleads them into thinking the throttle body is bad, and they spend time and money going the wrong direction.

The bad coils are cause small misfires that create interferance with the Drive-By-Wire system - thus making the PCM think it's a TB issue.

The dealer sells the coils for about $100 each - so their quote is on the money. You can get them for $45 - $60 each anf do it yourself.

 

[owlman]

That sucks, it seems coils are only covered under the PremiumCare warranty. Oh well! Good luck!

 

[beaups]

quite common, usually the number 3 or 4 coil since it's closest phyisically to the PCM. Disappointed the dealer want you to replace all 8 coils. They are being lazy, they can track down the bad one.

 

[NateRW21]

I was having an issue similar to yours and thought it might be the coils; I switched them out from side to side, which solved nothing what so ever. So, looking at the codes and how they could all be connected back to the throttle position sensor, I went ahead and replaced the TPS. Fixed the car for $45.

Go the cheap route first, swap from side to side.

 

[Jim Henderson]

My coils were replced under warranty on my 2004 LSV8 with 45000 on the clock. Took them 3 weeks to figure out it was all the coils and to fight with Ford factory about whether NGK plugs are factory(yes they are).

So I guess it depends on the dealer and whether you are under warranty, if you get the coils replaced for free.

I almost feel like Ford should be doing a Customer Satisfaction program to replace defective coils after warranty. Seems like way too many of us are having problems with this. This and the tranny are probably the things that have decreased my enjoyment of this car. All my problems have been coverd under warranty but it is a PITA and now my warranty is over.

Good Luck,

Jim H.

 

[bajabaum]

According to the paperwork, they tested all 8 coils versus new coils and found them all to be faulty.

I talked to my buddy over at the dealership and they ended up replacing all 8 coils, and threw in an oil change for only $210 total. I can't really complain about that. I'm just a little confused about how all 8 coils could go bad if the gaskets are intact.

 

[owlman]

Alright! If they really did replace all 8 seems like they lost a lot of money on that deal.