Ignition Coil - Single

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of a single ignition coil on the 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 L83 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Ignition coil × 1 — ACDelco D581 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Turn ignition off and remove key
3. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated
4. Identify which cylinder requires coil replacement (cylinders numbered 1-3-5-7 driver side front-to-rear, 2-4-6-8 passenger side front-to-rear)

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the ignition coil
   Open the hood and locate the ignition coil on the affected cylinder. The coils are mounted directly on top of the valve covers. Remove any engine cover if equipped by lifting upward on the cover to disengage retaining grommets.
2. 2

   Disconnect electrical connector
   Press down on the locking tab of the electrical connector on the ignition coil and pull the connector straight off the coil. Do not twist or pull on the wiring harness itself.
3. 3

   Remove ignition coil bolt
   Using an 8mm socket and ratchet, remove the single bolt securing the ignition coil to the valve cover. Set the bolt aside in a clean location.
   Torque spec

   Ignition Coil Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Extract the ignition coil
   Grasp the ignition coil body firmly and pull straight upward with a twisting motion to break the seal. The coil boot will be attached to the spark plug inside the plug well. If resistance is met, twist the coil gently while pulling to avoid tearing the boot.
5. 5

   Clean the spark plug well
   Use compressed air to blow out any debris from the spark plug well before installing the new coil. Inspect the spark plug boot for any signs of damage, cracks, or carbon tracking. Check the spark plug condition if accessible.
6. 6

   Prepare new ignition coil
   Apply a thin coat of dielectric grease to the inside of the spark plug boot on the new ignition coil. This aids in future removal and prevents moisture intrusion. Ensure the new coil matches the original in design and connector type.
7. 7

   Install new ignition coil
   Align the new ignition coil with the spark plug and valve cover mounting hole. Press down firmly with a slight twisting motion until the coil is fully seated on the spark plug and the mounting flange contacts the valve cover.
8. 8

   Secure the ignition coil
   Install the ignition coil bolt and tighten to specification using a torque wrench. Do not overtighten as this may crack the coil housing or strip the valve cover threads.
   Torque spec

   Ignition Coil Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reconnect electrical connector
   Push the electrical connector onto the ignition coil terminal until it clicks into place. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is fully locked.
10. 10

    Reinstall engine cover
    If the engine cover was removed, align the cover mounting grommets with the studs on the engine and press down firmly until all grommets are fully seated.

Reassembly

1. Ensure the electrical connector is fully locked onto the coil
2. Verify the ignition coil bolt is tightened to 8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
3. Confirm the engine cover is properly seated if applicable

Verification

• Start the engine and verify it runs smoothly without misfires
• Check for diagnostic trouble codes using a scan tool - the previous misfire code should not return
• Listen for any abnormal sounds from the affected cylinder
• Verify there are no arcing sounds or visible spark leakage around the coil during engine operation in darkness
• Test drive the vehicle under various loads to confirm the repair eliminated the misfire condition

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

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