How To Test The Ignition Coils (2.4L Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, G5 GT, G6, Solstice)

TEST 2: Swapping Ignition Coils

If you got an ignition coil that did not spark in TEST 1, then you need to make sure that it's getting power, Ground, and its activation signal.

The fastest way to do this is by swapping out the non-sparking ignition coil with one that is sparking.

So in this test section we're gonna' take one of the good ignition coils (that's sparking) and connect it to the dead ignition coil's electrical connector.

We'll attach the spark tester to this ignition coil and check for spark again. If the dead ignition coil's electrical connector is providing power, Ground, and an activation signal; then we can conclude beyond a shadow of a doubt that the dead ignition coil is defective.

These are the test steps:

1. 1

   Disconnect and remove the ignition coil that did not spark.

2. 2

   Remove one of the other ignition coil from its place. This coil should be one that sparked when tested in TEST 1.

3. 3

   Connect the good ignition coil to the non-sparking ignition coil's electrical connector.
   
   Next, connect the HEI spark tester to this ignition coil.
   
   Ground the HEI spark tester with a jump start cable directly on the battery negative (-) terminal.

4. 4

   Place the non-sparking ignition coil in the location of the good one, connect it to the electrical connector, and bolt it down.

5. 5

   Have your helper crank the engine when everything is set up.

6. 6

   The good ignition coil should spark.

Let's take a look at your test results:

CASE 1: The ignition coil sparked. This is the correct and expected test result and lets you know that the dead ignition coil's electrical connector is providing power, Ground, and an activation signal.

You can conclude that the dead ignition coil is defective and needs to be replaced if you have:

• Confirmed that the dead ignition coil is not sparking (TEST 1).
• Confirmed that the dead ignition coil's electrical connector is providing power, Ground, and an activation signal (TEST 2).

CASE 2: The ignition coil DID NOT spark. This tells you that the reason the dead ignition coil is not sparking is because it's missing power, or Ground, or its activation signal.

The next step is to:

• Check that the ignition coil is being fed with power (10 to 12 Volts).
• That the PCM's is providing an activation signal (known as the IC (Ignition Control) Signal).
• That the ignition coil is being fed Ground.

Although these specific tests are beyond the scope of this article, you now have an idea of what direction your diagnostic/troubleshooting needs to go in.

More 2.4L GM Tutorials

You can find a complete list of 2.4L GM tutorials here: GM 2.4L Index Of Articles.

Here's a list of articles, you'll find there:

• How To Test The MAP Sensor (2008-2012 2.4L Chevrolet Malibu).
• How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (2.4L Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, G5, G6, Solstice).
• How To Test Engine Compression (2.4L Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, G5, G6, Solstice).
• When Should I Replace The Spark Plugs (2.4L Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, G5, G6, Solstice).