[dharma999]

I have replaced the coil n my 1998 Honda Civic 3 times in the past year. What causes the coil to fail?

[Irish_rebal]

Is the car spitting?

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Distributor cap contacts can oxidize or corrode, creating high secondary resistance, which can result in rotor and ICM failure, reduced mileage, CEL coming on, catalytic converter failure, or failed emissions test. The secondary ignition system will destroy the ICM and coil, if you do not properly maintain the ignition system. This means replacing the distributor cap, rotor, and spark plug wires every 60,000 miles.

[dharma999]

You said "This means replacing the distributor cap, rotor, and spark plug wires every 60,000 miles."

All of that was done when I replaced it the first time 1 year ago, and I have replaced the coil twice since then. What else could be causing the failure?

[odinn7]

Cheap aftermarket parts could be the cause. I don't know where you get your parts from but if they are cheap, that's probably your answer.

[dharma999]

Cheap aftermarket parts could be the cause. I don't know where you get your parts from but if they are cheap, that's probably your answer.

I bought them from a CarQuest auto parts store.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Normally, it's best to replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM), when you replace the coil. A bad ICM can also ruin a coil. The ICM is an electronic switch, which controls dwell or how long the amperage is allowed to build-up in the coil. Too much amperage can fry a coil.

[dharma999]

Normally, it's best to replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM), when you replace the coil. A bad ICM can also ruin a coil. The ICM is an electronic switch, which controls dwell or how long the amperage is allowed to build-up in the coil. Too much amperage can fry a coil.

How can one tell if the ICM is causing the problem since it is working? I don't know how or what to test for, or what the amperage should be.