How to Know Your Car Needs a New Ignition Coil

Have you tried to start your car and it doesn’t come on? If this has happened to your car, most times it indicates that the ignition coil has gone bad. Below are some signs of a bad ignition coil.

What is an Ignition Coil?

An ignition coil is an electromagnetic induction-type transformer that converts low electrical voltage from the battery into high voltage delivered to the spark plug, sparking and igniting the air-fuel combination inside the engine’s combustion chamber.

The Ignition system of a vehicle is made up of different components that make sure that the engine is running smoothly and one of the most important components is the ignition coil. The ignition coil is in charge of making sure that the spark plugs get enough power from the generator in the ignition system which it accomplishes by igniting the petrol/diesel that provides power to the engine.

So, when you start the ignition and the vehicle doesn’t come on or the vehicle revs inconsistently, then it might imply that the ignition coil must have gone bad, although other factors may be at work. A car’s spark plug needs between 15-000 – 20,000 volt so that it can burn fuel and start the engine. Wires from the ignition coil are connected to each plug to ensure that this spark happens, although, in many new cars, each spark plug actually has its own ignition coil.

Types of Ignition Coils

1. Block Ignition Coils (Ignition Coil Pack)

Some automobiles have all of their ignition coils bundled in a single pack or box with outputs for each cylinder. The ignition cables run from the battery pack to the spark plugs.

2. Ignition Coil Rails

An ignition coil rail is exactly what it sounds like: a group of ignition coils linked together by a single line rail.

3. Coil-On-Plug/Plug-Top Coils

These coils are situated individually on top of the boot that connects to the spark plug.

4. Distributor Ignition Coils

Distributor ignition coils are likely to be found in older automobiles due to the age of the technology. The ignition coil feeds current to the distributor, which contains spark plug wires that connect to the spark plugs in these configurations.

5. Stick Coils/Pencil Coils

The pencil coil was conceived as a result of engine downsizing and the ongoing quest to make everything smaller. To build a space-saving plug, the coil is incorporated into the plug and into a single tube in these applications. They do not require any ignition cords.

Common Symptoms Of Bad Ignition Coil

1. Difficult to Start Engine

If your ignition coil has gone bad, you will find it difficult to start the engine or it won’t start at all. At first, you might think it is the car starter but in most cases, it is the ignition coil that has failed. You might find it especially harder to start the car when the weather is colder.

2. The engine burns more fuel and stops

If you notice that the engine is not getting enough power, it signifies the ignition coil has most likely failed. Typically, the spark plugs do not deliver the correct spark at the correct moment. They can happen at any time. It causes your engine to misfire, and the power is insufficient to accelerate, causing it to stall. The other accessories in your automobile will continue to restart and turn off. If you can even drive the automobile for a while, the engine will finally shut down. You’ll have to start over. If you observe this, take your automobile to a mechanic right away because it is a sign of a bad ignition coil.

3. Engine Misfires or Backfires

When the engine misfires or backfires, this is one of the first indicators of a faulty ignition coil. The engine will make a strange coughing or rattling noise, and the vehicle will begin to jerk. It also quickly accelerates and then decelerates nearly instantly. Because of this volatility, every trip might be extremely bumpy and frustrating. This indicates that the engine isn’t getting enough power and that the ignition coil has failed.

You’ll also note that the vehicle rattles a lot when it’s idle, which isn’t supposed to happen. The smell of fuel and the persistent black smoke released from the exhaust system is also caused by backfiring. It will eventually ruin the ignition, engine, and exhaust system. If you discover this, have the ignition system checked right away.

4. Engine Code Keeps Coming On

The dashboard lights on many new cars, such as the Toyota Prius, are mostly digital. It is also referred to as a combination meter. If the engine light code remains on this meter, it indicates a problem with the ignition coil. P0351 is the most likely code you may encounter. It indicates a secondary or even primary ignition coil issue.