Ford Explorer & a Cadillac Catera

A bad power window switch and getting to an ignition coil.

© Vincent Ciulla

Sep 3, 2007

This weekly Q&A session answers your questions about cars and trucks. This week explores a 2002 Ford Explorer with a bad power window switch and a 1998 Cadillac Catera ignition coil.

Question: 2002 Ford Explorer

Hello,

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer with power windows, and yesterday my driver's window rolled down, but then wouldn't roll back up. I opened up the switch assembly and noted that the one of the plastic pieces (not sure what to call them) that actually engages the switch was worn, so I replaced it with one from one of the other windows, but it didn't fix it. I can hear it engage the switch and every other window works from the driver's window panel, but the driver's window button doesn't work. I don't think it's the motor as it was having issues earlier that were fixed by pressing the button to roll the window down and then pushing it up. This worked for a few days, but yesterday it just stopped working. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Ezra Anderson

Answer:

Just one... replace the switch.

Question: 1998 Cadillac Catera

Greetings Vincent from Calgary, Alberta. We bought a 1998 Cadillac Catera. I found it had a misfire so I installed new Bosch Platinum 2 spark plugs. The check engine light still comes on at times. This morning I had the transmission oil change. They also did a scan for free, but told me that there was still a misfire. I was told to check the distributor. Now please tell what has to be removed to get at the beast. I can see only a tiny bit of it way in the back. Also when I removed the spark plugs one at a time I found that the plugs in the middle on each banks had blow by, they were loose.

Best regards,

G.K. :-)

Answer:

Here is how to get to the ignition coil:

1. Remove the wiper arms.
2. Remove the left and the right side air inlet grilles.
3. Remove the wiper motor.
4. Remove the power brake booster vacuum connection from intake plenum.
5. Remove the spark plug wiring harness from ignition coil.
6. Remove the electrical connection from ignition coil.
7. Remove the bolts from the ignition coil.
8. Remove the ignition coil.

Then just reverse the procedure to install it.

That's all for this week. Feel free to browse the archives for past topics. And, as always, if you are stuck and need an immediate answer you can always call Vince on the phone.

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