🔧 Soul - Ignition Coil Replacement

Your Soul uses a coil-on-plug ignition system (each cylinder has its own ignition coil mounted directly on the spark plug). Replacing a bad coil can fix misfires, rough idle, flashing check engine light, and loss of power.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.0 hours

Assumption: 1.6L coil-on-plug coils under a plastic engine cover.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep tools away from the battery positive terminal to prevent shorts.
• ⚠️ If your check engine light is flashing, avoid driving until the misfire is fixed (can damage the catalytic converter).
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required, but it’s safer to disconnect the negative terminal if you’re nervous about electrical connectors.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 1/4" drive ratchet
• 6" extension (1/4" drive)
• Torque wrench (in-lb or low-range ft-lb)
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Flashlight
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Ignition coil - Qty: 1 (or Qty: 4 if replacing all)
• Dielectric grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to neutral, and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool fully.
• If disconnecting the battery: use a 10mm socket to remove the negative battery cable and tuck it aside so it can’t spring back.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the engine cover (if equipped)

• Use your hands to pull up on the plastic engine cover to pop it off its rubber grommets.
• If yours has bolts instead: use a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet to remove them.

Step 2: Locate the ignition coils

• Use a flashlight to find the row of coils on top of the valve cover (one coil per cylinder).

Step 3: Unplug the coil electrical connector

• Press the connector lock tab with your finger and pull the connector straight back.
• If the tab is stubborn, gently help it with a small flathead screwdriver (don’t pry hard). Plastic tabs break easily.

Step 4: Remove the coil hold-down bolt

• Use a 10mm socket, 6" extension (1/4" drive), and 1/4" drive ratchet to remove the coil bolt.
• Set the bolt somewhere safe so it can’t fall into the engine bay.

Step 5: Pull the ignition coil out

• Grip the coil body and pull straight upward while gently twisting.
• If it feels stuck, keep twisting gently—don’t use excessive force.

Step 6: Prep the new coil

• Apply a tiny amount of dielectric grease inside the rubber boot (the rubber sleeve that goes over the spark plug). Dielectric grease is a non-conductive grease that helps prevent moisture and makes future removal easier.
• Make sure the new coil matches the old one (connector shape and length).

Step 7: Install the new coil

• Push the coil straight down until it fully seats on the spark plug.
• Reinstall the hold-down bolt by hand first (to avoid cross-threading), then tighten with a 10mm socket.
• Use a torque wrench (in-lb or low-range ft-lb): Torque to 9.8 Nm (87 in-lbs / 7.2 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reconnect the electrical connector

• Push the connector on until it clicks/locks.
• Gently tug it to confirm it’s secured.

Step 9: Repeat for other coils (if replacing more than one)

• Do one coil at a time so you don’t mix up connectors.

Step 10: Reinstall the engine cover

• Align the cover and press down firmly to seat the grommets.
• If bolts were used, tighten with a 10mm socket (snug, not over-tight).

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✅ After Repair

• Reconnect the battery negative cable (if removed) using a 10mm socket.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 1-2 minutes. It should run smooth with no shaking.
• If the check engine light stays on, you may need to clear stored codes with a scan tool (many parts stores can do this), but the fix should stop the misfire immediately.
• Test drive for 10 minutes and confirm no hesitation under acceleration.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$450 (parts + labor, depends on replacing 1 coil vs all 4)

DIY Cost: $40-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $140-$170+ by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 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.