Coilpack testing

[Moffett98]

Hey all.      The Lexus has started misfiring and flashing both the engine management and trc off light after searching the forum I've found its possibly a number of things. Discovered plugging the. Coil out just stops the engine so was wondering is there any easy way to test them car will be getting diagnostic check this week but wanting to rule out as much as possible first thank-you 

[gdh300]

Hi Matthew, not really the start to 2018 you wanted is it?

The only way I know of testing a coil pack without specialist equipment (something I did myself with a previous car) is to take them off one at a time and restart the engine, gauging if the misfire gets any worse or stays the same. Well worth investing in a cheap OBD scanner to recover the codes causing the EML, they pay for themselves quickly on older cars like ours. 

Other than that it might be possible to test with a simple multimeter, or worth a look for guides on YouTube. 

[iwonder]

As above pull a coil pack and check for worse or similar condition. Or pull coil and spark plug and rest on metal of engine and check for a good strong spark with varied distance (disconnect fuel pump connector or relay). There are inductive pick ups that flash when coil is firing which is decent or the proper test is oscilloscope to check wave patterns of the windings collapsing and generating a voltage spike.

[Moffett98]

Thanks for all the help. Lol definitely a interesting start although went out for  Nye and ended up buying a is200 with a scrap engine For about the same the lsd should be worth but long story short I'll not be allowed out again for a long time 😂.    

Just a quick update.

Pulled each coilpack while car was idling and all but one made the misfire worse.  Leaving me to believe either plug or that coilpack.   

Going today to get a full service kit with plugs and have a lexus bought with a siezed engine so will pinch a coilpack off it.  

Hopefully should remedy the situation but once I have the service done I'll update .

Also main reason I'm suspecting the coilpack is this is the first week I've had the car and was told when buying it has been lying up for 3 months.  

[iwonder]

Have you tried swapping coils and spark plugs around to give you definitive answer on what fault is.

 

 

[Moffett98]

Yes swapped the coilpack to the next cylinder and then started and it became the one missing so found out it's the coilpack.   Have one ordered and put new plugs in so hopefully be running sweet again soon.  

Thanks for all the help