🔧 Journey - Ignition Coil Replacement

Your Journey’s ignition coils sit on top of the spark plugs and create the high voltage needed to fire the engine. When a coil gets weak or fails, you can get a misfire, rough idle, flashing check engine light, or loss of power.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine; the exhaust and cylinder head get very hot.
• ⚠️ Keep the key out of the vehicle so the engine can’t be started accidentally.
• ⚠️ If the check engine light was flashing, avoid driving until repaired (can damage the catalytic converter).
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is recommended to prevent accidental shorts.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 10mm socket
• 1/4" drive ratchet
• 1/4" drive extension (3"-6")
• Trim clip tool
• Torque wrench (inch-pound or low-range Nm)
• 10mm wrench
• OBD-II scan tool (basic code reader)
• Flashlight

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Ignition coils - Qty: 4
• Dielectric grease (silicone) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Open the hood and let the engine cool fully.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm wrench; move it aside so it can’t spring back.
• Replace coils as a set for best results.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the engine cover (if equipped)

• Use a flashlight to locate the plastic engine cover on top of the engine.
• Pull upward evenly to release it from the rubber grommets, or remove any retainers using a trim clip tool.

Step 2: Locate the ignition coils

• Use a flashlight and find the row of coils on top of the engine; each coil has an electrical connector.
• Work on one coil at a time so nothing gets mixed up.

Step 3: Unplug the coil electrical connector

• Press the connector lock tab and pull the connector straight off.
• If it’s stubborn, gently help it with a trim clip tool; do not pull on the wires.

Step 4: Remove the coil hold-down bolt

• Use a 10mm socket, 1/4" drive ratchet, and 1/4" drive extension (3"-6") to remove the coil bolt.
• Set the bolt aside where it won’t get lost.

Step 5: Remove the ignition coil

• Twist the coil slightly left-right, then pull straight upward to remove it from the spark plug.
• If it feels stuck, keep twisting gently—don’t pry hard against plastic parts.

Step 6: Prep and install the new coil

• Apply a tiny dab of dielectric grease inside the new coil boot; dielectric grease is a non-conductive silicone grease that helps prevent moisture and eases future removal.
• Push the new coil straight down until you feel it seat firmly onto the spark plug.

Step 7: Reinstall the coil bolt and torque it

• Thread the bolt in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 10mm socket and torque wrench (inch-pound or low-range Nm) to tighten: Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs).

Step 8: Reconnect the electrical connector

• Push the connector on until it clicks and locks.

Step 9: Repeat for the remaining coils

• Repeat Steps 3 through 8 for the other coils (total of 4).

Step 10: Reinstall the engine cover and reconnect the battery

• Reinstall the engine cover by pressing it back into the grommets.
• Reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm wrench and tighten snugly.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and let it idle for 1-2 minutes; it should run smooth with no shaking.
• If the check engine light is on, use an OBD-II scan tool (basic code reader) to clear codes and confirm the misfire does not return.
• Take a short test drive and recheck for any warning lights.
• If misfire remains, spark plugs may be worn.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $100-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $150-$230 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.

Assumption: 2.4L uses coil-on-plug with 10mm hold-down bolts; torque shown is typical for this setup.