A seemingly impossible issue

Lameboy · 09-22-2020, 05:38 PM

I purchased a new ignition coil for a cylinder 2 misfire but have ran into a very strange problem.

Basically I took out the old coil and installed the new one, but when putting the connector back on I realized it didn't fit. I tried everything to force it in but it just won't fit. There is literally nothing physically different on the coils but somehow the connector won't fit on the new coil.

Why do I say this is strange and seemingly physically impossible? Because the old coil from cylinder 2 fits just fine in cylinders 1 or 3 but those coils from cylinders 1 or 3 don't fit in cylinder 2 either. For some reason the only coil that fits in cylinder 2 is the original one that's in there causing my misfire.

I'm sorry if this sounds ridiculous, but I'm just dumbfounded as to how this is possible, and if anyone else can come up with a solution? Please let me know if more info is needed, thanks!

Twoforty · 09-22-2020, 09:29 PM

I had a similar issue. There's two different coils, both suit different sized spark plug caps. So measure the diameter of the coil socket. Try inserting different drill sizes to get an idea of the difference.

Lameboy · 09-23-2020, 05:12 AM

Interesting... I figured all 6 coils would be interchangeable. How should I go about this? Buy another coil and hope it's the correct size?

rick100 · 09-23-2020, 08:15 AM

all coils should be the same. Could you post a picture of the coil in questions and the new coil , like the connector side , maybe even post a picture of the coil connector.

The Nightman · 09-23-2020, 03:47 PM

What's the build date of your car? Check the coilpack connectors to see where the tab is. Early N52 models built prior to April 2006 use coilpacks (#12137551049) with a center tab:

Newer coilpacks (#12137548553) have an offset tab. It's possible that the old coilpack was modified to fit the connector.

Also make sure your coils are specified for 2006 models that use JIS height plugs (eg NGK ILZFR6D11). Newer models use ISO height plugs:

Lameboy · 09-23-2020, 05:17 PM

You are 100% correct that is the issue, I appreciate this info more than you know man.. if you have a venmo I'll treat you to boba

E92William · 09-24-2020, 04:20 AM

I remember I had that same issue just trimmed the tab and it worked fine although probably not the perfect solution.

HydroxFrost · 09-25-2020, 01:59 AM

Honestly I just chopped out the notches and they worked fine for my car.

hassmaschine · 09-25-2020, 10:35 PM

Coils for these cars are like $25 a piece. Just buy the right parts, lol.

09-22-2020, 05:38 PM	#1
Lameboy Private First Class 33 Rep 115 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	A seemingly impossible issue I purchased a new ignition coil for a cylinder 2 misfire but have ran into a very strange problem. Basically I took out the old coil and installed the new one, but when putting the connector back on I realized it didn't fit. I tried everything to force it in but it just won't fit. There is literally nothing physically different on the coils but somehow the connector won't fit on the new coil. Why do I say this is strange and seemingly physically impossible? Because the old coil from cylinder 2 fits just fine in cylinders 1 or 3 but those coils from cylinders 1 or 3 don't fit in cylinder 2 either. For some reason the only coil that fits in cylinder 2 is the original one that's in there causing my misfire. I'm sorry if this sounds ridiculous, but I'm just dumbfounded as to how this is possible, and if anyone else can come up with a solution? Please let me know if more info is needed, thanks!
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09-22-2020, 09:29 PM	#2
Twoforty Private First Class 30 Rep 145 Posts Drives: F30 LCI 330i Msport Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Newcastle, Australia iTrader: (0)	I had a similar issue. There's two different coils, both suit different sized spark plug caps. So measure the diameter of the coil socket. Try inserting different drill sizes to get an idea of the difference.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-23-2020, 05:12 AM	#3
Lameboy Private First Class 33 Rep 115 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Interesting... I figured all 6 coils would be interchangeable. How should I go about this? Buy another coil and hope it's the correct size?
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09-23-2020, 08:15 AM	#4
rick100 Colonel 556 Rep 2,293 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: canada iTrader: (0)	all coils should be the same. Could you post a picture of the coil in questions and the new coil , like the connector side , maybe even post a picture of the coil connector.
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09-23-2020, 03:47 PM	#5
The Nightman Cometh 1311 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: Boy's Soul Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Boy's Hole iTrader: (4) Garage List E90 LCI "330i& ... [10.00]	What's the build date of your car? Check the coilpack connectors to see where the tab is. Early N52 models built prior to April 2006 use coilpacks (#12137551049) with a center tab: Newer coilpacks (#12137548553) have an offset tab. It's possible that the old coilpack was modified to fit the connector. Also make sure your coils are specified for 2006 models that use JIS height plugs (eg NGK ILZFR6D11). Newer models use ISO height plugs: Last edited by The Nightman; 09-23-2020 at 03:55 PM..
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09-23-2020, 05:17 PM	#6
Lameboy Private First Class 33 Rep 115 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	You are 100% correct that is the issue, I appreciate this info more than you know man.. if you have a venmo I'll treat you to boba
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09-24-2020, 04:20 AM	#7
E92William Banned 2033 Rep 2,025 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 328xi Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Miami iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 328xi [0.00]	I remember I had that same issue just trimmed the tab and it worked fine although probably not the perfect solution.
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09-25-2020, 01:59 AM	#8
HydroxFrost @Lucky.330i 39 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Jeep Compass [0.00] 2006 Chrysler 300 [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00]	Honestly I just chopped out the notches and they worked fine for my car.
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09-25-2020, 10:35 PM	#9
hassmaschine Major General 3989 Rep 7,212 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	Coils for these cars are like $25 a piece. Just buy the right parts, lol.
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