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Top Issue- 02-05 Ford Thunderbird Ignition Coils COP
- Thread starter tbird
- Start date
See post #1
Here is the link for the updated part as of 04/2020 that fits better https://amzn.to/2Rfp5Zd
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Thanks just order for back up car is running Great
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Certainly the leaky gaskets have caused this failure, quite frankly that's the worst evidence that I have seen. Hope that she's running much better now.
Does matter? The cheaper ones have good reviews and numerous members have bought them. Most of this stuff is made in China anyway, so why pay an arm and a leg?
Does anyone else think that having the cover on the valve cover creates an oven environment for the coils? If the cover was left off wouldn't that reduce the heat? Just thinking outside the box...
That's a good thought - the failures - and I've owned two towncars and this 2004 Bird- seem random and one at a time, so I don't think it is heat, although heat sure is detrimental. I have a coil tester and while running a test I add heat from a hair dryer to speed the process. Yes, as temp rises failure begins
Just traveled 900 miles with a buddy in a Navigator with a sometimes missing cop or spark plug. Told him about the pkg on Amazon and made his day!
Cheers
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I have replaced all the coils three times on my 2004 since new and it only has 30,000 miles on it.
I paid about $130 at Auto Zone for replacement which have a lifetime warranty, so the second and third set were free, but time consuming changing them. If I was not good with a wrench the Bird would have been sold.
My a/c has a problem, only heat emitting, so I just bought a temp control valve for $45 on EBay.
My radio volume control went defective along with the CD player so I bought a Pioneer to replace it.
I only have 30,000 miles on this car which is just a stylish Lincoln LS which sells for less than 1/2 the price of my Bird, so in my opinion Ford made a lemon when it gave birth to the 2002-2005 Bird.
Korea makes a better car with a much longer warranty. I’ll never buy a Ford product again.
I paid about $130 at Auto Zone for replacement which have a lifetime warranty, so the second and third set were free, but time consuming changing them. If I was not good with a wrench the Bird would have been sold.
My a/c has a problem, only heat emitting, so I just bought a temp control valve for $45 on EBay.
My radio volume control went defective along with the CD player so I bought a Pioneer to replace it.
I only have 30,000 miles on this car which is just a stylish Lincoln LS which sells for less than 1/2 the price of my Bird, so in my opinion Ford made a lemon when it gave birth to the 2002-2005 Bird.
Korea makes a better car with a much longer warranty. I’ll never buy a Ford product again.
These posts always crack me up! I noticed you are hyperfocused on the low mileage of your car. You do realize your car is 18 years old? You don't have to drive something for it to age/deteriorate. As a matter of fact, many parts go bad from lack of use.
In general, a classic car is any vehicle older than 15 years while an antique is more than 25 years old. Your car is almost 2 decades old. My girlfriend has a low milage 2004 Jeep that has a leak in the Evaporator that is newer than your car. Am I supposed to never buy a Jeep again because a 16-year-old part is bad?
Ford didn't make the radio, they likely bought it from China or South Korea.
So your 18-year-old car requires some maintenance and repairs, so you're never buying another Ford again? SMH! I sold cars, and ALL CARS HAVE problems! Even the once "reliable" cars like Toyota/Honda have lots of issues.
Noted that this is your first post as well.
I do believe cars give trouble depending on age, miles, and how stored. My T Birds have always been stored in a climate
controlled garage, also have never driven them on long trips, all short 35 miles or less. I have had no real issues, with
anything except the suspension rotting away, which I believe is a Ford issue. My everyday cars are also parked in climate
controlled garage, but they are much newer.
Both of my T Birds look close to new, and everything works. All of this makes me wonder if the cars have issues
depending on how stored, driven, miles, weather, and so on.
Both of my T Birds could not have been made on good days, so much of the above must be true. Both of mine are
2002 year, so will be 18 years old this fall.
Both of my cars have original coolant, trans fluid, and spare tires, which are not cracked, and have not exploded. I keep
spares tires inflated to 23 lbs, and have a air compressor in trunk when needed.
Hope my luck holds out.
controlled garage, also have never driven them on long trips, all short 35 miles or less. I have had no real issues, with
anything except the suspension rotting away, which I believe is a Ford issue. My everyday cars are also parked in climate
controlled garage, but they are much newer.
Both of my T Birds look close to new, and everything works. All of this makes me wonder if the cars have issues
depending on how stored, driven, miles, weather, and so on.
Both of my T Birds could not have been made on good days, so much of the above must be true. Both of mine are
2002 year, so will be 18 years old this fall.
Both of my cars have original coolant, trans fluid, and spare tires, which are not cracked, and have not exploded. I keep
spares tires inflated to 23 lbs, and have a air compressor in trunk when needed.
Hope my luck holds out.
I bought my 2004 for style and class, not for gas mileage. My vol control is erratic, but the wheel controls work fine so I just don't use the knob.
I know COPs fail and I live with it. Not that hard to change. With care and maintenance I'm hoping to drive it a thou or 2 miles a year for the rest of my life.
I'm 88 and the bird has 132,000 miles on it, so far. Runs and drives great. I'm happy. Cheers
Bough my 2003 Tbird a little over a year ago. Ran perfectly until about a month ago when it began misfiring. No warning lights. Based on what I read here, bought the coil set from Amazon and NGK Iridium plugs. Found a mechanic I trust to remove the old and install the new. There were two types of old coils, neither the originals (69K miles). No signs of moisture or oil. Just started going bad, I guess. Running great right now. Perfect fit coils from Amazon just under $60 for the set. Beats Motorcraft for $75 each! If the coils go bad as often as suggested here, spend the lesser amount for what hopefully will be the same lifetime.
Thank you TBird for your updated information. The bird just started to misfire on hills and from a light. I am the original owner and it has 20K miles on it. It is the baby of the family. I am going to order the coils today from Amazon and attempt to install them. Hopefully it is not beyond my skill level. Since this is a recent update is there a recommended plug to get for this 2002 Bird? I may as well do both since it seems like it was recommended. Again, I really appreciate your update on this problem that everyone seems to experience. Enjoy the summer and best of health.
