How to Replace Spark Plugs & Ignition Coils on 2015 Dodge Journey 2.4L 4 Cylinder
Diagnosing a Pesky P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Code
What You'll Need
- Torx Bits
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Ratchet
- Dialectric Grease
- Difficulty: 2/5 (Easy)
- Time to Complete: 1-2 hours
- Cost: Up to $150
Products Used
The Problem
The in-law's are the latest customer at my very unprofitable auto shop, and this one threw me for a loop. Here we have the 2.4L 4 Cylinder motor in their 2015 Dodge Journey. It's an engine commonly found in many Dodge vehicles, and this one's throwing a P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire code. Their engine was running super rough, and the check engine light began blinking on the drive home. The RPMs were fluctuating up and down chaotically. From what they say, it felt very much like they may not make it home.
The Diagnosis
Diagnosing a bad ignition coil is the same process for any vehicle. Move the coil on the cylinder throwing the code to another cylinder, and drive for a second. Use your scanner to read the codes, and see if the code moved to the new cylinder. After moving, we saw the code switch to cylinder 1, which made sense to get a new coil. I then discovered the spark plugs hadn't been changed in over 200,000 miles, or the coils. Considering the conditions, they still looked like little troopers.
The Solution
To remove the coil packs and plugs, you'll need to take off the engine cover. There's one Torx bolt marked with a green arrow above on the left you'll remove. Then, another Torx bolt holding each coil pack in. The clip on the right of each pack can be a little hard to manuever. Simply use a flat head screw driver to pull it back, then press down on the far right of the clip and pull pack. It will slide off of the coil pack.
Pull each coil pack up, then use a deep 5/8 socket, with a long extension on your drive to get down in there and twist each plug out. If they haven't been changed in a while like these, they may put a fight. Be slow about it, and don't yank and break 'em off in the head like a goober butt. Gently pull them out, then replace with a new plug. Be careful lowering each down, and only twist a bit past the point of it giving resistance.
Put a smidge of dialectric grease on the tip of each coil pack tip to prevent moisture build up and lubricate each plug for easy removal later. Then replace each coil pack on top and plug the clips in. Start the car, clear your codes, and see how it's running.
Conclusion
After replacing all four ignition coils, this customer's Journey is running like new again!
