How to Change the Coil on a 1996 Ford Windstar

The Windstar, which Ford changed to the Freestar in 2004, hit the marketplace in the 1995 model year. By appearance, it is obvious Fords motive behind the Windstar was to compete with the masters of the minivan at Chrysler. The 1996 Windstar had two engines available: a 150-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6 and a 200-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6. Both engines used an electronic ignition system which delivered ignition spark via an ignition coil, as opposed to a distributor. Replacing the ignition coil on both engines is the same straightforward process.

Instructions

1

Look on the drivers side rear of the engine compartment and find the coil attached to a bracket on the rearmost cylinder head.

2

Mark the six spark plug wires plugged into the coil one through six with white marking paint for reinstallation, starting with the spark plug wire on the driver's side rear of the coil and moving clockwise around the coil. Squeeze and hold the locking tabs on each spark plug wire boot the thick rubber part connecting the wire to the coil and pull each wire upward with a slight twisting motion.

3

Press and hold the unlocking button on the coil pack wiring harness, and pull the harness up and off the coil.

4

Press and hold the unlocking buttons on the two wiring harnesses fuel charging wiring harness is the upper one and the radio ignition interference capacitor harness is the lower one on the front of the coil pack.

5

Remove the four coil-to-bracket bolts with a ratchet and socket, and pull the coil pack off the bracket. Remove the screw securing the radio ignition interference capacitor with a ratchet and socket, and transfer it to the new coil. Tighten the radio ignition interference capacitor screw with a ratchet and socket.

6

Set the new coil on the coil bracket and hand-thread the coil-to-bracket screws. Tighten the coil-to-bracket to between 3 and 5 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

7

Plug the wiring harness into the receptacle on the coil. Press all six spark plug wires onto their respective receptacles until the retaining tabs lock them in place, using the white marking paint as your guide.

8

Plug the fuel charging wiring harness and the radio ignition interference capacitor wiring harness into their respective receptacles on the front of the coil.