Ignition Coil - Single

This procedure covers the replacement of a single ignition coil on the 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, including spark plug inspection.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Ignition coil × 1 — Motorcraft DG-508 or equivalent
• Spark plug (if replacement needed) × 1 — Motorcraft SP-534 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Turn ignition off and remove key from vehicle
3. Allow engine to cool completely if recently run
4. Open hood and secure with prop rod
5. Identify which cylinder has the faulty ignition coil (cylinders numbered 1-4 passenger side front to rear, 5-8 driver side front to rear)

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the ignition coil
   Locate the ignition coil on the identified cylinder. On the 5.0L Coyote engine, coils are mounted directly on top of the valve covers with individual coil-on-plug design. Remove any engine cover screws if present and lift the decorative engine cover off to expose all eight ignition coils.
2. 2

   Disconnect electrical connector
   Press the locking tab on the ignition coil electrical connector and pull straight up to disconnect. The connector has a red secondary lock that may need to be lifted first before the main tab can be released. Do not pull on the wires themselves.
   ⚠Do not force the connector - ensure the locking tab is fully released before pulling
3. 3

   Remove ignition coil hold-down bolt
   Using the 7mm socket with extension, remove the single bolt securing the ignition coil to the valve cover. The bolt may be tight due to thread locker compound. Keep the bolt for reinstallation unless it shows damage.
   Torque spec

   Ignition Coil Bolt8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Extract the ignition coil
   Grasp the ignition coil body firmly and pull straight up with a twisting motion to break the seal. The coil boot may stick to the spark plug due to heat cycling. If stuck, use needle nose pliers to grip the coil body or use an ignition coil removal tool. Do not pry against the valve cover.
5. 5

   Clean spark plug tube
   Inspect the spark plug tube in the valve cover for debris, oil, or moisture. Use compressed air or a shop vacuum to remove any loose debris from around the spark plug. If oil is present in the tube, the valve cover gasket may need replacement (separate procedure).
   ℹ️Oil in the spark plug tube can cause misfires and damage the new ignition coil
6. 6

   Inspect and service spark plug
   Using the 5/8 inch spark plug socket, check the spark plug torque or remove for inspection. If removing, inspect the electrode for wear and carbon buildup. Check the gap specification (0.051-0.057 inches for this engine). If the plug shows heavy wear, carbon tracking, or has over 60,000 miles, replace it. Apply anti-seize compound to the threads before installation.
   ⚠Never over-torque spark plugs in aluminum heads as this can strip the threads
   Torque spec

   Spark Plugs - Aluminum Head20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Prepare new ignition coil
   Remove the new ignition coil from packaging and inspect for shipping damage. Apply a thin coat of dielectric grease to the inside of the rubber boot where it contacts the spark plug. This prevents the boot from sticking and aids in future removal.
8. 8

   Install new ignition coil
   Align the ignition coil boot with the spark plug and press down firmly until the coil seats fully on the valve cover. The boot should slide completely onto the spark plug terminal. Ensure the mounting hole in the coil aligns with the threaded hole in the valve cover.
   ⚠Ensure the coil is fully seated before installing the bolt to avoid cracking the coil housing
9. 9

   Install coil hold-down bolt
   Thread the 7mm hold-down bolt by hand to prevent cross-threading, then torque to specification using the torque wrench. Do not over-tighten as this can crack the coil housing.
   Torque spec

   Ignition Coil Bolt8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect electrical connector
    Push the electrical connector firmly onto the ignition coil terminal until it clicks into place. Ensure the secondary locking mechanism engages if equipped. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is locked.
11. 11

    Reinstall engine cover
    Position the decorative engine cover back onto the engine, aligning all mounting points. Install and torque the cover screws to specification if applicable.

Reassembly

1. Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
2. Ensure no tools or parts are left in the engine compartment
3. Close hood securely

Verification

• Start the engine and verify it runs smoothly without misfires
• Check that the check engine light does not illuminate or that any previous misfire codes have cleared
• Listen for any unusual noises from the affected cylinder
• Use a scan tool to verify there are no active misfire codes for the repaired cylinder
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify smooth idle

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle