🔧 Kicks - Ignition Coil Replacement

Replacing the ignition coils on your Kicks is a straightforward repair. The ignition coils sit on top of the spark plugs and turn low battery voltage into the high voltage needed to fire each spark plug.

If your Kicks has a misfire, rough idle, flashing check engine light, or codes like P0301-P0304, a faulty ignition coil may be the cause.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 30-60 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work only with the engine completely cool to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before unplugging ignition coils.
• ⚠️ Do not pull on wiring; always press the connector tab and pull the connector body.
• ⚠️ Keep dirt and debris out of the spark plug wells.
• ⚠️ If the check engine light is flashing, avoid driving until the misfire is fixed to prevent catalytic converter damage.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 8mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 3-inch extension
• Torque wrench inch-pound range
• Plastic trim removal tool
• Compressed air nozzle
• OBD-II scan tool
• Shop towel
• 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 - Qty: 1 small tube

Tip: If one coil failed due to age and mileage, replacing all four can prevent repeat misfire repairs. If you are diagnosing a single cylinder misfire, replacing only the failed coil is acceptable.

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Kicks on level ground and set the parking brake.
• ❄️ Let the engine cool for at least 30 minutes.
• 🔋 Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• 🧠 If you have a check engine light, use an OBD-II scan tool to read the code before removing parts. OBD-II is the standard diagnostic port used to read engine trouble codes.
• 📌 Cylinder numbering on the 1.6L inline-4 is typically counted from the passenger side/front of engine toward the driver side: cylinder 1, 2, 3, 4.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the Engine Cover if Equipped

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• If your Kicks has a plastic engine cover, lift it upward by hand.
• If any clips resist, use a plastic trim removal tool gently around the edge.
• Set the cover aside on a clean surface.
• Lift straight up, not sideways.

Step 2: Disconnect the Negative Battery Cable

• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the negative battery terminal clamp.
• Move the cable away from the battery post so it cannot spring back and touch.
• This prevents accidental electrical shorts while unplugging the coils.

Step 3: Locate the Ignition Coils

• The ignition coils are mounted in a row on top of the engine valve cover.
• Each coil has an electrical connector and one small retaining bolt.
• A valve cover is the upper engine cover that seals the top of the cylinder head.

Step 4: Clean Around the Coils

• Use a compressed air nozzle to blow dirt away from the area around each ignition coil.
• Wipe loose debris with a shop towel.
• This keeps dirt from falling into the spark plug wells when the coils are removed.
• Clean first, remove second.

Step 5: Unplug the Coil Connector

• Press the release tab on the ignition coil electrical connector with your thumb.
• If the tab is stiff, gently help it with a plastic trim removal tool.
• Pull the connector straight back by the plastic body.
• Do not pull on the wires.

Step 6: Remove the Ignition Coil Bolt

• Use an 8mm socket, 3-inch extension, and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the coil retaining bolt.
• Place the bolt somewhere safe so it does not fall into the engine bay.

Step 7: Remove the Ignition Coil

• Grip the top of the ignition coil by hand.
• Twist it gently left and right to loosen the rubber boot.
• Pull the coil straight upward out of the spark plug well.
• If it feels stuck, keep twisting gently; do not pry against the plastic coil body.

Step 8: Inspect the Old Coil and Spark Plug Well

• Look for oil, water, corrosion, cracking, or burn marks on the old coil boot.
• Use a shop towel to wipe the upper area if needed.
• If you find oil inside the spark plug well, the valve cover tube seal may be leaking and should be repaired before installing new coils.

Step 9: Prepare the New Ignition Coil

• Apply a very small amount of dielectric grease inside the end of the rubber coil boot.
• Dielectric grease is a non-conductive silicone grease that helps seal out moisture and makes future removal easier.
• Do not fill the boot with grease; use only a thin film.

Step 10: Install the New Ignition Coil

• Push the new ignition coil straight down into the spark plug well by hand.
• You should feel the boot seat onto the spark plug.
• Align the bolt hole with the valve cover mounting point.

Step 11: Reinstall the Coil Bolt

• Start the bolt by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use an 8mm socket, 3-inch extension, and torque wrench inch-pound range to tighten the bolt.
• Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs).
• Do not overtighten; the valve cover threads can be damaged.

Step 12: Reconnect the Coil Connector

• Push the electrical connector onto the ignition coil until it clicks.
• Lightly tug the connector body by hand to confirm it is locked.

Step 13: Repeat for Other Coils if Replacing More Than One

• Use the same steps for each remaining ignition coil.
• Replace one coil at a time so connectors and positions stay organized.
• Use the 8mm socket, 3-inch extension, and torque wrench inch-pound range for each coil bolt.
• Torque each coil bolt to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs).

Step 14: Reconnect the Battery

• Place the negative battery cable back onto the battery post.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to tighten the clamp snugly.
• Do not overtighten the battery terminal.

Step 15: Reinstall the Engine Cover if Equipped

• Set the engine cover back in position by hand.
• Press straight down over the mounting points until it seats fully.

Step 16: Clear Codes and Test

• Use an OBD-II scan tool to clear misfire codes after the repair.
• Start the engine and let it idle.
• Listen for smooth running and check that the check engine light does not return.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Let the engine idle for 2-3 minutes and confirm it runs smoothly.
• ✅ Take a short test drive around the block and avoid hard acceleration at first.
• ✅ Re-scan with an OBD-II scan tool to confirm no misfire codes return.
• ✅ If the same cylinder misfire comes back, inspect the spark plug, injector, wiring, and compression before replacing more coils.
• ✅ If multiple random misfire codes return, check for vacuum leaks, fuel delivery issues, or worn spark plugs.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$550 per visit, depending on how many coils are replaced

DIY Cost: $45-$280 for parts, depending on single-coil or four-coil replacement

You Save: $100-$300 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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