forgot to plug ignition coil... what damage is done?

[tronhammer]

So I was changing my spark plugs and some how got some caught up with putting the air intake and wire harnesses on that I completely forgot to plug the electrical units back into the three coils on the driver side.

After getting a blinking SERVICE ENGINE SOON signal of death, I realized what I had done. Plugged them back in, and now it's just a solid light. Unfortunately I don't have a odb reader so I'm not sure what the codes are. I'll have to get them later.

My real question though, is what damage did I just do to my poor pathfinder by running it without three plugs running?

[themadscientist]

You tripped a CEL and that's it most likely. It runs now, right?

[tronhammer]

Yeah, she seems to run well after I plugged everything in completely. I was just worried that I may have started something that may come to bite me in the future. Mostly worried bc I'm going to be on an extended road trip soon and I don't want any surprises.

So it sounds like I didn't really do any damage even though I let it run on idle for about 5-10 min with only half the plugs working?

If so, then awesome!!

[Towncivilian]

I did the same thing and drove for 5 miles, it'll be fine.

[robbykennedy]

The CHECK ENGINE LIGHT will go off by itself after a certain driving cycle if you do not have an ODB reader. I am not really exactly sure what the driving cycle is in hours. It is going to be annoying to see the light on your dashboard.

If the light does not go off by itself after driving for more than 40 hours then you need to get it an ODB reader.

No worries your engine is fine.

[irnox]

My car runs without an ignition coil.. how is this possible?

[atraudes]

I'm guessing it doesn't run well If it runs the same with or without that coil pack, the coil pack is probably bad and needs to be replaced. Assuming it's not the differently shaped #1 coil, you can swap it with another and see if the problem follows. If it does, it's definitely the pack. If not, you have a problem specific to that cylinder like the wiring harness or spark plug.

If you're asking how it's possible for an engine to run sans a coil pack, it will, but it won't run well. The engine will have enough momentum to carry on despite the single cylinder failure.

[irnox]

Actually, I take back my previous statement. My car doesn't have the fuse/relay for the ignition coil.