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Silverghost500 Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018 Posts: 1069 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 11:23 am Post subject: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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I bought a green label ignition coil last year as a spare. As I want to go for some more long distance trips I've been thinking I should go ahead and swap in the new one as preventive maintenance. The one on my '86 Westy looks to be the original. Should I go ahead and replace the coil, or just keep the new one in the van as a spare for that unforeseen day the original gives up the ghost? _________________ 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion in-progress
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7733 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 11:25 am Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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Install the new one to make sure it's working, then keep the old one under the bench seat with your other spare parts...
- Dave _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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DanHoug Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016 Posts: 4715 Location: Bemidji, MN
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Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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dhaavers wrote: |
Install the new one to make sure it's working, then keep the old one under the bench seat with your other spare parts...
- Dave |
that's exactly what i've done. had a NOS coil, installed that and travel with my working takeout as the spare. figured might get a shade more reliability running with the new coil. if the new coil is just kept as a spare without testing, it MAY have issues so best to put it in service, prove it & leave it, and travel with the old one as a spare. _________________ -dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9776 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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Or you can try the new coil to confirm it works then store it as the spare.
This is the easiest route as there is no need to install the coil to try it -- just secure it near enough to the existing coil (bungees, Velcro strap, what have you) that the wires can be moved to it for the test.
On my other long-distance vehicle I went so far as to mount the spare coil such that I can switch over to it without any wrenching - just move the wires. This was common practice on the Le Mans cars back in the day. |
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campism Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 4485 Location: Richmond VA
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Posted: Sun May 16, 2021 6:06 am Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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Ahwahnee wrote: |
This is the easiest route as there is no need to install the coil to try it -- just secure it near enough to the existing coil (bungees, Velcro strap, what have you) that the wires can be moved to it for the test. |
I replaced mine recently as a preventive measure. After working in that engine compartment I'd recommend if going to the trouble of setting up for that test, just replace the damn thing. _________________ '87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4333 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Sun May 16, 2021 6:20 am Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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Ya, the bracket is an awful joy to try to put back together... I am very sure there is some ingenious method, but putting mine back in was a two hour curse fest.
Its like the guy who came up with the design meant for it to be hard, or something.
Wasn't there a thread about using a Beetle or KG coil bracket somewhere? I'd pay a few more bucks and find one for the next time I want to take my coil bracket off. _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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16CVs Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004 Posts: 4020 Location: Redwood City, California
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Posted: Sun May 16, 2021 7:49 am Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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That is a bitch putting the coil on. I ran bolts through from the outside so now I have studs to just slide on and use nuts to fasten it. Try it you’ll like it.
Stacy _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
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Silverghost500 Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018 Posts: 1069 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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Replaced the coil today. Yep, for something that looks simple it was a pain to remove and replace. I could not get a screwdriver or anything on the nut for the screw clamping the coil into the bracket, so the two bolts holding the brackets on the van had to come out.
A difference between the OEM coil and the new Bosch green label coil was the difference in the negative side metal tabs. The part bolted to the negative post is around 2mm or so longer on the part that bolts to the post than the new Bosch, and that makes putting the big electrical plug with the green wires back on a no-go frustration effort. Swapped the OEM part to the new Bosch, and the plug fit on just fine.
After putzing around with trying to get the bracket on I discovered it was best to start with the top bolt first. I also used a flex 3/8" extension after the failed efforts on the top bolt with my assortment of wobble extensions and a u-joint.
I took the van for my 18 mile test drive circuit. It's a bit too soon to dial in a positive report just yet, but it did seem to run better, and smoother at the higher speeds on the Interstate section of the test route. _________________ 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion in-progress
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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Tobias Duncan Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2013 Posts: 1388 Location: Taos NM
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Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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16CVs wrote: |
That is a bitch putting the coil on. I ran bolts through from the outside so now I have studs to just slide on and use nuts to fasten it. Try it you’ll like it.
Stacy |
Just did a coil today and it sucked
I am totally stealing this idea
Also what is the deal with everyone being out of stock on the Bosch coils? |
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DanHoug Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016 Posts: 4715 Location: Bemidji, MN
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 2:29 pm Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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Tobias Duncan wrote: |
Also what is the deal with everyone being out of stock on the Bosch coils? |
yeah, i've bought a couple ahead finding NOS coils on eBay. it really is important to get the correct coil, too. the wrong resistance/impedance has been known to throw the ECU into fits causing misfires. here's a chart of Bosch part numbers for coils.
_________________ -dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4333 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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Whew! Thanks for the reminder!! I replaced a coil on my '86 Westy over the weekend, and ordered another new one with a lifetime warranty from O'Reilly. Should be in today, so I'll go pick it up!! I bought two from O'Reilly last Summer, and used one on my '87 since then, I've found it to be decent. Thus I felt okay putting the second one in the '86.
Stacy, yes I agree on the bolt from the back side! I did not use that trick this time, but had mulled it over since you replied to this thread back a couple years now. I was able to not drop my new one, and get it installed in about 30 minutes with the help of a longer bolt to hold the bottom in first. Then, I chopped a bit of a pencil (orange color stub) and put that in my socket to keep the top bolt from slipping down into the socket. Also, I put the tip of a shop glove over the end of the socket and then inserted the bolt, which firmly held it in place. After those thinky bits, it was a snap.
_________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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teej Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2010 Posts: 897 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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Do all the folks having epics replacing the coil have AC?
I did not find it particularly difficult but we do not have AC in the way. _________________ 1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans |
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zerotofifty Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2003 Posts: 1497
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Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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Install the best one, store the old one as a spare. why run daily with an old possibly worn and shorted coil? _________________ Give peace a chance. No American war with Russia! |
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dabaron Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018 Posts: 2558 Location: Philly, mang
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 8:31 am Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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dhaavers wrote: |
Install the new one to make sure it's working, then keep the old one under the bench seat with your other spare parts...
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2000% this. having a known working coil can save a week long adventure. also adding an alternator voltage regulator to your box of spares is highly encouraged. _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo
BiWerks Design, LLC |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4333 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 8:43 am Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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If looking at Voltage regulator, keep this one in mind:
240turbo.com, look for voltage regulators... direct link below (no affiliation, just a fan)
https://www.prancingmoose.com/AdjustableVoltage.html#external
I have been impressed. _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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bobhill8 Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2017 Posts: 734 Location: MA
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Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2023 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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Heading to the White Mountains this weekend, and the van died suddenly at an intersection, minutes away from my intended campsite. Tried to restart it a couple of times, and then VROOM it started and I made it to the site. PHEW. Cooked dinner, relaxed and then began to think....slept on it, and in the am, I checked fuel pump and fuel line T, which had fuel. Then I thought ignition coil and I grabbed my spare, which is an older Bosch green label. Popped that in and Voila I was back in business. So glad I had listened to you folks - I had probably read this thread before as well as others suggesting carrying an extra coil. So satisfying to fix something on the road and not have the trip ruined. _________________ 1986 Westy
1971 Squareback |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50255
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Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2023 8:21 pm Post subject: Re: To Replace, Or Not To Replace The Ignition Coil? |
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The factory coils are pretty danged dependable. I would not replace one unless it was giving signs of failing. I ran the stock one on my '91 until I did a Subaru swap at ~250K miles and then put the old coil onto my 83 1/2, where it still resides many years later. I might do a temporary install to test a spare coil, but I would then remove it and keep it for the spare. |
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