Since this question is in two totally different car categories, I'll simply point to the Windstar "Related Question" below.
symptoms are: you can hear the engine missing, spitting and sputtering, loss of power...you can tell if it is a coil pack by unscrewing the spark plug that it connects to coil pack. when you look at your spark plug it should be a light grayish, white..this means the coil pack is working....it is best if you do this with new spark plugs, because your spark plugs could be bad. but you do this process until you find a bad plug then, that coil pack probably is the bad coil pack.
auto zone will check your codes for FREE. if you have a bad coil pack they will tell you.
Most automobiles will not start with a nonfunctioning coil pack. The coil pack will cause the spark plugs not to fire.
== ==
A bad coil pack would not smell like gasoline.
The coil pack could be weak, or break down under load or heat. The coil can be basically checked with an ohm meter for resistance, but the only way to know for sure is to replace it.
bad coil pack... replace coil pack
Then there is a no spark condition and engine will not run. If it has more than one coil pack it will miss on the cylinders controlled by the defective coil pack.
Auto Zone or other parts stores should be able to use an OBD II reader to diagnose the problem and tell you which coil pack is bad. Replacement is simple. Simply remove two screws and replace the coil pack. I just went to Auto Zone to have the modulator checked on An '87 Maxima and they told me it wasn't in their book.
Bad coil or coil pack.
Engine control module (computer) should set a trouble code indicating a faulty coil pack. "missing/skipping engine - especialy at 3000 RPM's or - more is a possible indicator of a faulty coil.
go get a new coil pack just 1! take one of the wires on the old pack off & wire up a new one start engine up if u see arcing then that old pack still works proceed down the line until one of the old packs does not arc then u have found your bad coil pack! take off and replace with new coil pack and you should have a smooth firing order and idle