Signs Of A Bad Ignition Coil
6 Indicators of a bad ignition coil
The ignition coil is a high voltage and a low current transformer that converts your car’s 12-volt power supply to the 25,000-30,000 volts needed to jump the gap of the spark plug, hence initiating combustion. When the ignition coil malfunctions, it will cause several mechanical and performance issues in the vehicle. Some of the signs of a bad ignition coil are:
Loss of power
The first symptom of a bad ignition coil is loss of power. When the ignition coil is malfunctioning, the vehicle will feel sluggish and there will be a delay in response to the throttle inputs. The loss of power is caused by irregular sparks that are required for initiating combustion. The required combustion will not occur, and the engine will not be able to produce enough power in all the cylinders. The moment you experience loss of power, you should take your vehicle for necessary repairs otherwise you will end up causing more serious damage to the vehicle.
Dashboard warning lights
Most modern engines come with a diagnostic device, which is connected to the Engine Control unit. Whenever there is an issue with the ignition system including the ignition coil, it will send a signal to the engine control unit, which will turn on the dashboard warning light. The check engine lights are triggered by several things, such as unstable engine operation and failure to start the engine.
Vehicle not starting
When the ignition coil is faulty, it may prevent the vehicle from starting. In vehicles that use a single ignition coil as a source of spark for all its cylinders, a bad ignition coil will affect the engine’s operation. A failed coil will not provide the required spark to the engine, and it will not start.
Misfiring engine
A bad ignition coil will cause the vehicle to misfire when you accelerate. It could even cause your vehicle to stall while you are driving. This happens when one of the cylinders does not fire at all, or it fires incorrectly. If ignored, this can lead to serious damage requiring expensive repairs.
Poor fuel economy
If your vehicle is consuming more fuel than usual, it could be due to a bad ignition coil. When the spark plugs do not receive enough power due to a bad ignition coil, the system will compensate by injecting more fuel. However, poor fuel economy could also be a result of several other factors. So, it is better to let a mechanic diagnose the exact source of the problem.
Rough idling
In case the ignition coil pack housing is damaged, it could cause misfires at idle. When the ignition coil is broken, it will be unable to send electrical charge directly to the spark plugs and try to find a route for the charge to escape. The charge does not go through into the engine and may find its way to the sidewalls of the cylinder head and cause a misfire.
A bad ignition coil and a worn spark plug produce similar symptoms. So, it is best to have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic to find out the exact cause of the problem. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Don’t wait until it’s too late – take action now to keep your car running smoothly and avoid costly repairs down the road.
Schedule an appointment with us so that our highly trained mechanics can have a look and diagnose the problem. We offer best-in-class vehicle repair services.