🔧 Legacy - Ignition Coil Replacement

Your Legacy uses one ignition coil per cylinder (4 total). Replacing a failing coil can fix misfires, rough idle, flashing check-engine light, and loss of power.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine; coils sit near hot metal parts.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent accidental shorting.
• ⚠️ Don’t pull on wiring—always release electrical connectors by the lock tab.
• ⚠️ Keep dirt out of the spark plug wells; debris can cause misfires.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 3" extension
• 6" extension
• Torque wrench (inch-pound or small Nm range)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pliers
• Trim clip removal tool
• Dielectric grease
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Ignition coil - Qty: 1-4
• Dielectric grease (small packet) - 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 battery negative terminal using a 10mm socket and move the cable aside so it can’t spring back.
• Dielectric grease is non-conductive moisture protection.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to a safe, exact force.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Make room to reach the coils

• Remove the plastic engine cover (if equipped) by pulling it straight up with your hands (it’s held by rubber grommets).
• On the airbox side, loosen the intake hose clamp using a flathead screwdriver.
• Release any intake clips using a trim clip removal tool.
• If you still don’t have enough room on the battery side, remove the battery hold-down using a 10mm socket and lift the battery out carefully (it’s heavy).

Step 2: Unplug the ignition coil connector

• Locate the coil on top of the cylinder head (one coil per cylinder, two per side).
• Press the connector lock tab, then pull the connector straight off the coil.
• If it’s stuck, gently help it with a flathead screwdriver while pulling (don’t pry hard).

Step 3: Remove the coil hold-down bolt

• Remove the single hold-down bolt using a 10mm socket with a 3" extension.
• Set the bolt somewhere safe (dropping it is common in tight spaces).

Step 4: Pull the old coil out

• Twist the coil gently left-right, then pull it straight up to remove it from the spark plug well.
• Wipe any dirt around the opening using shop rags (don’t push dirt down the hole).

Step 5: Install the new coil

• Put a tiny smear of dielectric grease inside the rubber boot of the new coil (a pea-size is plenty).
• Push the coil straight down until you feel it seat onto the spark plug.
• Install the hold-down bolt by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten the hold-down bolt with a torque wrench: Torque to 7.5 Nm (5.5 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Reconnect the coil connector

• Push the electrical connector on until it clicks.
• Lightly tug it to confirm it’s locked.

Step 7: Repeat for the remaining coils

• Replace the other coils one at a time so connectors don’t get mixed up.
• One-at-a-time prevents wiring mistakes.

Step 8: Reassemble what you removed

• Reinstall the intake duct/airbox pieces and tighten clamps using a flathead screwdriver.
• If removed, reinstall the battery and hold-down using a 10mm socket.
• Reconnect the battery negative terminal using a 10mm socket and tighten it snug (do not over-tighten).
• Reinstall the engine cover by pressing it down firmly by hand.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and let it idle for 1-2 minutes; it should run smoothly without shaking.
• If the check-engine light was on, it may take a few drive cycles to go out unless the code is cleared with a scan tool.
• Test drive 10-15 minutes and verify no hesitation under light acceleration.
• If you still have a misfire, the spark plug or injector on that cylinder may be the real cause.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$400 (parts only, depending on 1 vs 4 coils)

You Save: $190-$250+ by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 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.