Automotive coil question

[fotoguzzi]

I’m stuck trying to fix my wife’s cousins car. Toyota mini van. It has individual coils over each plug. I replaced one coil a year ago but now the engine light is back on, code says it’s the same coil.
Could this be caused by the spark plug?

[LowRyter]

Any chance you could warranty claim on this one?

I say this because I know a rider with one of those 1600 Beemer 6 cylinder luxo barges.  Those things are $250/ ea.  Anyway after the 2nd one went out they gave him a warranty replacement,,,not saying it was the same one btw. 

[fotoguzzi]

Not a chance, it’s an older van. I did buy aftermarket for around $30 instead of $90. I guess maybe that was a mistake but she’s kinda poor and so am I.
I feel a little responsible since I talked her into getting the Toyota and selling the Chrysler van that would break down regularly about every two or three months.

[rocker59]

Yep.  Very likely the coil. 

Buy a party pack of them, so you'll have extras on hand.

Marcia's 4.6L Ford V8 she used to have went through coils pretty regularly.  It's a quick fix, if you keep extras on hand.

[fotoguzzi]

Yep.  Very likely the coil. 

Buy a party pack of them, so you'll have extras on hand.

Marcia's 4.6L Ford V8 she used to have went through coils pretty regularly.  It's a quick fix, if you keep extras on hand.

in this case it’s a quick fix on the front 3 but cylinders 2,4&6 are buried to the back and take a real mechanic to get at. Lucky for me so far it’s always cylinder 1.
Yes, I told her to order a few.

[Bulldog9]

I've found that the cheap aftermarket coils don't last. on a TMC product, I would use OEM or Denso coils. Also, if the plugs are not old, probably a good idea to swap plugs in two of the cyls. If the 'failed' coil follows the plug, it is likely the plug.

How many miles did you get out of the new coil?

[Andrew Doyle]

Likely the coil

however, there are no pictures to confirm

[LowRyter]

Not a chance, it’s an older van. I did buy aftermarket for around $30 instead of $90. I guess maybe that was a mistake but she’s kinda poor and so am I.
I feel a little responsible since I talked her into getting the Toyota and selling the Chrysler van that would break down regularly about every two or three months.

'

I meant a claim on the coil you bought.....

[nc43bsa]

If it's not too hard, pull all three plugs from that side and see if one is obviously different in appearance. 

Or, swap the plugs around and see if the problem moves to a different cylinder.

Or, swap the coils around.

[pressureangle]

It's the Chinese conspiracy. Aftermarket parts have no reliable quality. You might have better luck pulling moderate mileage OEM coils from a wreck at the yard. And yes, the spark plug being worn can affect coil life.

[SIR REAL ED]

I've found that the cheap aftermarket coils don't last. on a TMC product, I would use OEM or Denso coils. Also, if the plugs are not old, probably a good idea to swap plugs in two of the cyls. If the 'failed' coil follows the plug, it is likely the plug.

How many miles did you get out of the new coil?

Yep!  Af friend of mine who trains mechanics would agree.  He once told me I had the world record for an aftermarket mass air flow sensor on my GMC that lasted six weeks.

Swapping the plugs is a great diagnostic method.