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CrazyOne
10-06-2005, 04:47 PM
My daughter's 2001 Infiniti I-35 (115k miles) had the check engine light come on, so she took it to the dealer. According to the computer diagnostic, they told her that one or two of the six coils were going out. She's in Dallas and was planning to come back here tomorrow. They told her that as long as she hadn't noticed any problems, she could make it home alright. They also said that since they couldn't determine which coils were bad, they would have to replace all six. They would charge about $850.

Okay, what are the coils they're talking about, is there a way to figure out which ones are bad, and is this something I could take to someplace besides the dealership to handle? I would appreciate any (helpful) info anyone could give me about this.
Marklar MM
10-06-2005, 04:52 PM
No clue, but I am guessing they all don't have to be replaced.
SWC Bonfire
10-06-2005, 04:52 PM
??? They should be able to check the "leakage" of the coils with a megger, and check the continuity with a ohmmeter to find out the coil that is bad.

Are they sure that you don't just have a bad spark plug wire?

Seems odd that they can't find the malfunctioning coil. Sounds like BS.
tlongII
10-06-2005, 04:52 PM
Tell your daughter to stop driving so much. 115K miles on an '01 car is too many.


Your Welcome.
JoeChalupa
10-06-2005, 05:12 PM
Wish I could help you but I'm clueless when it comes to automobiles.
Spurminator
10-06-2005, 05:19 PM
I don't know anything about cars either, but I do know that if she's at a City Garage in Dallas, it's probably bull. Just past experience.
CosmicCowboy
10-06-2005, 05:34 PM
Crazy...she has one of the new ignition systems. Let me give you the "old" analogy. You had a coil that converted 12v to much higher voltage which then went to a distributor that all your spark plug wires went to. The distributor determined the timing of the spark plug firing. In the new systems, the computer adjusts the timing and each spark plug has it's own coil. That is probably what they are talking about.

Now..in my opinion she is safe to drive back. Also in my opinion they are full of shit that they can't determine which plugs are misfiring because of the weak coils. You do not have to take this to a dealer. PM me if you want the name of the independent garage I use. They have all the computer diagnostics for all the brands. They are very busy but they are VERY good.
Taco
10-07-2005, 10:29 AM
probably a damn O2 sensor

if the car is running fine and is not sluggish she should be ok to drive it back

now if the check engine light starts flashing then she should have it serviced asap
Taco
10-07-2005, 10:31 AM
also if it's bad wires tell her to start it up and night (dark SAFE area) open the hood to see if she see's any arc's coming from the plug wires. if you do it's time to change the wires but here again if this is the case she would notice the car being sluggish
Clandestino
10-07-2005, 10:32 AM
i'm suprised they didn't tell her she needs to buy a new car!
SWC Bonfire
10-07-2005, 10:33 AM
Her blinker fluid was also low.
mookie2001
10-07-2005, 10:37 AM
she probably blew out a fender padline
Taco
10-07-2005, 10:39 AM
did she change her 710?


http://www.referencetable.net/images2/oil2.jpg
MannyIsGod
10-07-2005, 11:42 AM
With that many miles, it is probably pretty proactive to go with an entire tuneup anyhow and check out everything to do with the coils, wires, and plugs. Especially with fuel prices as high as they are. I would want my car running at peak efficency.
Sportcamper
10-07-2005, 12:11 PM
If money is no object...Sure let the dealership go to town...Otherwise I would get in touch with the Cosmic Cowboys Mechanic...
Taco
10-11-2005, 08:04 AM
Did your daughter make it back ok?