Help! Ignition system testing help

[travisd]

Anyone have experience with testing or repairing the ignition system? How do I test and inspect the coils boots and springs? I replaced my plugs and ordered new boots springs but I can not get the boots off my coils. Old boots have no damage or burns but they are very loose the plug will literally fall out of the boots. Springs that contact the plug are slightly discolored.

How do I change the springs and boots? Looks like the boots are glued and screwed on the end of coil. New boots I got from rock auto are almost twice as long as old boots? Should I just replace whole coil if boots or spring need replacement?

Does the old boot being lose in the plug or discolored springs matter?

Pic of coil on my 06v and the new boots I received

 

[luxuryrules]

I recognize this is an extension of the conversation that started on the other thread. Disclaimer - I personally have not serviced an XLR ignition system so part of what I’ll say is only my experience in other coil on plug engines. I have seen the boots be the point of failure, usually if they crack and that can lead to arcing. I have not seen boots fail that were not visibly cracked or otherwise compromised.

In some vehicles, the boots are replaceable independent of the coils. In some others, it’s all one piece. For the LC3, I do see some interesting listings, but they do not appear to have serviceable boots. Looks like it’s meant to be all one piece.

For 06 LC3 I see 12670154. I saw you mention about the 06 being different so I checked an 08 LC3 and I see 19421260. Both are one piece, meaning the boot isn’t serviceable, you’d replace the coil and the boot is attached. It appears the difference is due to a locator tab on the harness, so the 08 has a note “use with harness 12602860 to back service on 06 and prior MY if locator tab not present on harness.”

Having said all that, unless you’re troubleshooting a misfire condition, I wouldn’t be trying to replace the boots. But that’s just me, I’m sure others have some better perspective as again, I’m relatively new to wrenching on XLRs.

 

[luxuryrules]

The 06 coil connector

 

[luxuryrules]

The later coil connector; with the locator tab. Posting these just so there’s a visual reference.

 

[travisd]

Thanks for the info. I don't have a misfire I just wanted to replace the boots and springs when I did the plugs. I think my coils are ok but I've never had to replace the plugs in a car with c.o.p. the boots on my coils do not seal on the plugs ceramic not sure if that a problem. The coils go on and off like there not even a plug installed. I was hoping a service procedure would clarify that issue. I have a engine shake occasionally from a cold start when the rpm drop down to idle speed after about 15 seconds. Only does it about every tenth start and only when engine is idling down then stops. The shake got worse with new plugs installed. That's why I wanted to test the coils. I think the engine has to misfire for a set amount of time on two different run cycles to have a code for misfire. Thinking maybe the loose boots could be the issue or a failing coil. Maybe it an injector or vacuum leak. Seems to be something with the adjustment made by computer when goes from high idle to low.