🔧 Town & Country - Ignition Coil Replacement

On your Town & Country, the ignition coils sit on top of the spark plugs and create the high voltage needed for the engine to run smoothly. Replacing a bad coil can fix misfires, rough idle, and a flashing check engine light. On the 3.6L, the front 3 coils are easy to access, but the rear 3 require removing the upper intake plenum (the top intake manifold that feeds air to the engine).

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool completely; intake and exhaust parts can burn you.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent electrical shorts.
• ⚠️ Keep dirt out of the intake; cover openings with a clean lint-free rag.
• ⚠️ Do not pry on plastic connectors; release the lock tabs first.
• ⚠️ If the check engine light was flashing (active misfire), avoid driving until repaired.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 10mm socket
• 8mm socket
• 1/4" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3" extension
• 6" extension
• Torque wrench (inch-pound)
• Torque wrench (foot-pound)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Needle-nose pliers
• Shop light
• Magnetic pickup tool
• OBD2 scan tool
• Clean lint-free rags

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Ignition coil - Qty: 6
• Upper intake plenum gasket set - Qty: 1
• Throttle body gasket - Qty: 1
• Dielectric grease - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Open the hood and let the engine cool fully.
• Use a 10mm socket to disconnect the negative battery terminal and isolate it so it can’t spring back.
• Tip: Take photos before unplugging connectors.
• Assumption: This procedure covers replacing all 6 coils; rear-bank coils require plenum removal.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the engine cover

• Pull up firmly on the plastic engine cover to release it from the rubber grommets.
• Set it aside where it won’t get stepped on.

Step 2: Remove the air intake tube

• Use an 8mm socket or flat-blade screwdriver to loosen the hose clamps on the intake tube.
• Unplug any intake tube sensor connector(s) by releasing the lock tab by hand.
• Lift the intake tube out and set it aside.

Step 3: Replace the front bank coils (accessible side)

• Working one coil at a time, unplug the coil electrical connector by releasing the lock tab by hand.
• Use a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet and 3" extension to remove the coil hold-down bolt.
• Twist the coil slightly, then pull it straight up to remove it from the spark plug.
• Apply a tiny smear of dielectric grease inside the new coil boot. (Dielectric grease is a non-conductive silicone grease that helps prevent moisture and makes future removal easier.)
• Push the new coil straight down until it fully seats on the spark plug.
• Install the hold-down bolt with the 10mm socket, then Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs) using an inch-pound torque wrench.
• Plug the connector back in until it clicks.

Step 4: Prepare to remove the upper intake plenum (for rear bank coils)

• Unplug the throttle body electrical connector by releasing the lock tab by hand.
• Use needle-nose pliers to release any spring clamps on small vacuum/PCV hoses, then carefully pull hoses off.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to release any plastic push-clips holding wiring looms to the plenum area.
• Tip: Label hoses with tape as you remove them.

Step 5: Remove the throttle body from the plenum

• Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet and 3" extension to remove the throttle body bolts.
• Remove the throttle body and discard the old gasket.
• Cover the throttle opening with a clean lint-free rag to keep dirt out.
• When reinstalling later: Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs) using an inch-pound torque wrench.

Step 6: Remove the upper intake plenum

• Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet and 6" extension to remove the upper intake plenum bolts.
• Lift the plenum straight up and out. If it feels stuck, gently wiggle—do not pry hard on plastic.
• Immediately place clean lint-free rags in the intake port openings to prevent anything from falling in.
• Remove the old plenum gaskets and discard them.

Step 7: Replace the rear bank coils (under the plenum)

• Remove the rags from just the area you’re working on (leave other openings covered).
• Unplug each coil electrical connector by releasing the lock tab by hand.
• Use a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet and 3" extension to remove the coil bolt.
• Twist and pull the coil straight up to remove it.
• Apply a tiny smear of dielectric grease inside the new coil boot, then seat the new coil fully.
• Install the coil bolt and Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs) using an inch-pound torque wrench.
• Reconnect the electrical connector until it clicks.

Step 8: Reinstall the upper intake plenum with new gaskets

• Remove all rags from the intake openings and visually confirm nothing fell in.
• Install the new upper intake plenum gaskets into the plenum grooves (make sure they sit flat).
• Set the plenum back into place carefully.
• Thread the bolts in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten the bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern using a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Torque to 12 Nm (105 in-lbs) using an inch-pound torque wrench.

Step 9: Reinstall the throttle body, hoses, and intake tube

• Install a new throttle body gasket, then reinstall the throttle body using a 10mm socket.
• Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs) using an inch-pound torque wrench.
• Reconnect vacuum/PCV hoses using needle-nose pliers where spring clamps are used.
• Reconnect the throttle body electrical connector.
• Reinstall the air intake tube and tighten clamps using an 8mm socket or flat-blade screwdriver.

Step 10: Reconnect battery and reinstall engine cover

• Reconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Press the engine cover back onto its mounting grommets.
• Tip: A loose connector is the #1 comeback.

---

✅ After Repair

• Use an OBD2 scan tool to clear misfire codes and confirm no codes return.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 2-3 minutes; listen for smooth idle and check for hissing (vacuum leak sound).
• Do a short test drive and recheck for a check engine light.
• Recheck that intake clamps and hose connections are snug after the test drive.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$450 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

---

🎯 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.