🔧 Gladiator - Ignition Coil Replacement

Your Gladiator’s ignition coils sit on top of the spark plugs and create the high voltage needed for ignition. Replacing a bad coil can fix a misfire, rough idle, flashing check-engine light, and loss of power.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a cold engine to avoid burns and to prevent damaging coil boots.
• Keep the key out of the vehicle while unplugging ignition connectors.
• If you disconnect the battery: use a 10mm wrench and remove the negative terminal first.
• Do not pull on wiring—release the connector lock and pull on the connector body.

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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 set (3" and 6")
• Torque wrench (inch-pound)
• Trim clip/pick tool
• Flashlight
• OBD2 scan tool

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Ignition coil - Qty: 1 (or Qty: 6 if replacing all)
• Dielectric grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to neutral, set the parking brake, and open the hood.
• Let the engine cool fully.
• If you have a misfire code, plug in your OBD2 scan tool (a small code reader for the diagnostic port) and note which cylinder is misfiring (example: P0302 = cylinder 2).

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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 straight up on the engine cover to release the grommets, then set it aside.
• Use a flashlight to locate the coils (one coil per cylinder on top of the valve covers).

Step 2: Unplug the ignition coil electrical connector

• Use a trim clip/pick tool to gently lift the connector lock (if present), then press the release tab.
• Pull the connector straight off the coil (do not pull on the wires).

Step 3: Remove the ignition coil retaining bolt

• Use a 10mm socket, 1/4" drive ratchet, and a 1/4" drive extension (3" or 6") to remove the coil bolt.
• Set the bolt somewhere safe so it doesn’t fall into the engine bay.

Step 4: Remove the ignition coil

• Grip the coil body and twist it slightly to break the seal, then pull straight up to remove it.
• If it feels stuck, keep twisting gently—don’t pry on the valve cover.

Step 5: Prep and install the new ignition coil

• Apply a very small dab of dielectric grease (silicone grease that helps prevent moisture and sticking) inside the new coil boot.
• Push the new coil straight down onto the spark plug until it fully seats.

Step 6: Reinstall and torque the coil bolt

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

Step 7: Reconnect the electrical connector

• Push the connector on until it clicks/locks.
• Use a flashlight to double-check the connector is fully seated and the wiring isn’t pinched.

Step 8: Reinstall the engine cover

• Align the cover over its mounting points and press down firmly with your hands until it snaps into place.
• Push near grommets, not the center.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and let it idle for 1-2 minutes. It should run smooth with no shaking.
• Use your OBD2 scan tool to clear stored misfire codes, then recheck for returning codes.
• Road test for 10-15 minutes. If the check-engine light flashes again, stop driving and rescan (flashing = active misfire that can damage the catalytic converters).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$550 (parts + labor, depending on 1 coil vs all 6)

DIY Cost: $35-$330 (parts only)

You Save: $145-$220+ by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.5 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.