3.0 coil pack question; Up or In?

[olddude55]

A friend of mine is having some ignition probs with his '98 3.0L 4x4 and he tried replacing the coil pack over the weekend.
The OE pack has the vertical connector, but both of the replacements he tried had the horizontal connector. The truck wouldn't start with either of the replacements.
Is there a difference between the vertical- and horizontal connector coil packs, other than the obvious?
If his Ranger has the vertical-connector coil, does he have to replace it with another vertical-connector coil?

 

[Earl43P]

I don't see why they'd be any different.
Rockauto search for that year model lists both types.

Might be the crank sensor if he isn't getting spark.

 

[olddude55]

The truck will start and run with the OE coil pack, so the crank sensor is fine.
The truck wouldn't run with either of the replacement coil packs.
He's got a problem with a persistent miss. He got the check engine light and had the codes checked, came back with a miss-fire on No. 4.
Replaced plugs, clear code, everything was fine for a few days and the problem came back.
Replaced wires, cleared code, everything was fine for a few days and then check engine came back, same code.
Had the fuel system cleaned, ran fine for a few days, etc.
The last thing he'll try is the coil pack, but though the truck will start and run with the OE pack, it won't fire with either of the parts-store coils. Both parts store coils have side connectors, while the OE coil has a vertical connector.
And, since he tried changing the coil pack over the weekend, the check engine light is off and the truck is running fine for now.
My first guess was cracked head, but he says there's no oil in the antifreeze and the truck isn't overheating.

 

[partsguy84823]

The guy at the parts store should ask you which one you have. I don't know that it makes a difference, but in case it does...the Borg Warner (BWD) part number is: E98 for the vertical connection. What you got was an E97. I think most parts stores carry BWD ignition products, or use their numbering system, or could cross ref. the numbers I have given. Like I say, I don't think that the orientation of the connection would matter, but thought you might want to know.

 

[Rearanger]

Before you proceed any further your friend should do a hot compression test on #4.

 

[cp2295]

Don't know if you ever figured this out (being 3 years ago..) but for anyone looking at this page and wondering themselves if the connection type matters take a look at this site:

http://www.autoinc.org/archives/2013/mar2013/techtips.htm

It states the internals of a vertical and horizontal connector are different (the way it's wired). The Vertical Connector Six Tower Coil Pack is for 2.5L Contour/Mystique, 2.5L Cougar, 3.0L Taurus/Sable, Windstar, 3.8L Mustang and 3.0L Ranger, 4.2L E/F Series

The Horizontal Connector Six Tower Coil Pack is for 4.0L Ranger, 4.0L Explorer and 4.0L SOHC Explorer/Mountaineer

Vertical is motorcraft part #: dg535
Horizontal: dg533

Hopes this helps somebody out! Helped me out.

 

[adsm08]

They are different. I do not know what the difference is or why it is different, but I do know that you get issues trying to interchange the two styles.

 

[Froggmann]

The difference in the coil pack is the outer 4 plugs. The center two are the same, outer 4 swapped ends.

 

[adsm08]

The difference in the coil pack is the outer 4 plugs. The center two are the same, outer 4 swapped ends.

Well there you have it.

That would be enough to make it run but diesel something awful too.