ignition

Ignition Coils - All

for 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 L83 · RWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Easy

Time

2.0 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of all eight ignition coils on the 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 L83 engine.

Warnings

⚠Allow engine to cool completely before beginning work to avoid burns from hot engine components.

⚠Do not force ignition coils during removal as the spark plug boots can tear if stuck to the spark plugs.

ℹ️Label or photograph coil positions and harness connections before removal to ensure correct reinstallation.

Tools required

10mm socketEssential

7mm socketEssential

Socket wrench or ratchetEssential

Extension bars (3-inch and 6-inch)Essential

Torque wrench (5-40 Nm range)Essential

Dielectric greaseEssential

Anti-seize compound

Compressed air or shop vacuum

Magnetic pickup tool

As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Parts

Ignition coil × 8 — ACDelco D581 or equivalent

As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Turn ignition off and remove key
Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated
Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 2 minutes for capacitor discharge
Remove engine cover by pulling upward firmly on the four corner retention grommets

Procedure

1
Access ignition coils
With the engine cover removed, identify all eight ignition coils positioned on top of the valve covers. The front four coils are on the driver side cylinder bank, and the rear four are on the passenger side. Clear any debris from around the coils using compressed air or a vacuum to prevent contamination from entering the spark plug tubes.
2
Disconnect coil harness connectors
Starting with cylinder 1 (front driver side), press the release tab on each ignition coil electrical connector and pull straight up to disconnect. Work methodically through all eight cylinders. Note that connectors have a positive lock that must be fully depressed before removal.
3
Remove ignition coil mounting bolts
Using a 7mm socket with extension, remove the single mounting bolt from each ignition coil. These bolts may have thread-locking compound applied from the factory. Keep bolts organized by cylinder number if they show varying wear patterns.
Torque spec
Ignition Coil Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
4
Extract ignition coils from spark plug tubes
Grasp each coil firmly and pull straight upward with steady pressure. If a coil is stuck, gently rotate it back and forth while pulling to break the seal between the rubber boot and spark plug. Do not use excessive force or prying tools as this can damage the coil boot or spark plug ceramic insulator. If severely stuck, applying penetrating oil around the base and waiting 15 minutes may help.
5
Inspect spark plug tubes and wells
With all coils removed, inspect each spark plug tube for oil or coolant contamination. Oil presence indicates valve cover gasket failure requiring separate repair. Check spark plug porcelain for damage. Use compressed air or vacuum to remove any debris from the wells before installing new coils.
6
Prepare new ignition coils
Unpack new ignition coils and verify correct part numbers match original equipment. Apply a thin coat of dielectric grease to the inside of each coil boot where it contacts the spark plug terminal. This prevents moisture intrusion and facilitates future removal. Do not apply grease to the electrical connector terminals.
7
Install new ignition coils
Insert each new coil into its corresponding spark plug tube, aligning the boot with the spark plug terminal. Push down firmly until the coil seats completely against the valve cover and the mounting hole aligns. The coil should drop approximately 3-4 inches into the tube. Ensure the electrical connector faces the correct orientation for harness connection.
8
Install and torque mounting bolts
Hand-start each ignition coil mounting bolt to prevent cross-threading. Using a 7mm socket and torque wrench, tighten all eight coil bolts to specification. Follow a sequential pattern working from front to rear on each cylinder bank to ensure even seating.
Torque spec
Ignition Coil Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
9
Reconnect electrical harness
Reconnect the electrical connector to each ignition coil by pressing firmly until you hear and feel a distinct click. Verify the connector lock tab is fully engaged on each connection. Gently tug on each connector to confirm it is secured and will not pull free.
10
Reinstall engine cover and reconnect battery
Align the engine cover retention grommets with the mounting posts on the engine and press down firmly at each corner until fully seated. Reconnect the negative battery terminal and verify it is tight. Do not overtighten the battery terminal bolt.

Reassembly

Double-check that all eight electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
Ensure engine cover is properly secured at all four mounting points
Verify no tools or parts are left in the engine compartment

Verification

Turn ignition to ON position (engine off) and verify the check engine light performs normal bulb check without staying illuminated
Start engine and listen for smooth idle with no misfires or irregular running
Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify no misfire codes are present
Test drive vehicle under light acceleration to confirm proper engine performance across all cylinders
Scan for diagnostic trouble codes using an OBD-II scanner to verify no ignition-related codes are stored