Problems and Reasons: the Ignition Coil

An Ignition Coil is an induction coil that converts current from a battery into the high-voltage current required by spark plugs.  Sometimes it occurs in engine problems and Check activation. But, what causes an ignition coil to go bad? Our team has prepared an article in which we will answer all questions related to the work of the coil.

In general, there are several reasons what can cause ignition coils to go bad. And it is precisely this variability in the root cause that is the problem. It is almost impossible to clearly determine whether the issue is caused by component wear or simple overheating and the result of unstable fuel pump operation. Therefore, the first task is to identify the symptoms of the malfunction, as they can sometimes provide a clue to the cause.

Signs of ignition coil failure

1. Check engine light - a basic symptom that indicates almost any problem under the bonnet. This is a reason to run an on-board diagnostic test to identify a potential difficulty.
2. Can a bad ignition coil cause a misfire? Surely. Misfires and difficulties starting the engine. The coil is responsible for creating sparks and energy, so starting may be difficult if the coil is worn out. If the issue is in one of the cylinders, misfiring occurs, accompanied by vibrations and knocking. We have already written about what problems engine knocking indicates here.
3. Decreased fuel efficiency and a decline in power. Another multifaceted factor and reason to check the ignition coils. If you notice problems with uneven engine operation and its breakdown, this is an obvious reason to look under the bonnet. Drivers can also use inCarDoc to monitor dynamic engine parameters while driving and record fuel consumption. This is an excellent monitoring method that will speed up the detection of engine malfunctions.

Why does my ignition coil keep going bad? An incorrect air-fuel ratio may be the cause of this. A lean mixture wears out the ignition coils more quickly, while a rich mixture covers them with carbon deposits. In both cases, this leads to overloading of components and their rapid wear. The obvious reason is the gap between the spark plug electrodes. Moreover, this distance may increase, so after a while, it is worth checking this component and adjusting it according to the standards. Incorrect installation is one way how an ignition coil goes bad.

Ignition coil and related components products

By the way, what is an ignition coil? It is a component that creates a spark, which starts the engine. In modern cars, each spark plug has an ignition coil, and the corresponding sensors collect information and transmit component malfunctions, if any. In fact, if the MIL indicator is lit on the dashboard, you can perform OBD2 diagnostics with inCarDoc and determine the specifics of the warning. Will a bad coil pack throw a code? Yes, the issues are classified as errors P0350-P0362.

• Ballast resistor 
• Ignition Coil Adapter 
• Ignition Coil Cover 
• Ignition Coil Ground Strap 
• Ignition Coil Lead Wire 
• Ignition Coil Mounting Bracket 
• Ignition Coil Mounting Grasket 
• Performance Coil - Ignition 
• Reluctor 

It is obvious that the Ignition Coil is responsible for the timely supply of high voltage to spark plugs and capable of converting 12 Volts to 25 thousand Volts. 

If you ignore the problem of coil pack failure, it can cause the car not to start, or you can incur more serious consequences, such as: 

1. Excessive fuel consumption  
2. Engine power loss 
3. Fusion of the catalyst exhaust system 

There are several methods to test the ignition coil, one is to disconnect the connectors from each coil. The second involves removing the coil and measuring the resistance. On some cars, there is a self-diagnosis function, which helps to detect a specific non-working cylinder. 

How long do ignition coils last? It is generally accepted to replace coils every 130,000 to 160,000 km.

How do you know if your ignition coil is bad

The signs that can appear in case of the ignition coil been broken - are equivocal. Those mean that they might indicate a malfunction of the generator, gearbox, engine or spark plugs. Anyway, unstable operation of the engine, engine’s misfire, flunk of rpm (revolutions per minute) when the gas pedal is sharply pressed - these are signs of malfunction of the ignition coil. 

Also, in this case, the engine check signal will be active, when checking after connecting to the computer, the drop-down errors will indicate problems in the ignition system. So, as we mentioned earlier, the coil can cause trouble codes, which can be identified by running OBD2 diagnostics in inCarDoc. However, some codes indicate a problem with the coil, while others may occur because of it. For example, P0300 - random/multiple cylinder misfire - commonly caused by spark plugs, ignition coil and fuel injection. However, errors P0351-P0362 indicate the Primary/Secondary Circuit in each cylinder from 1 to 12, respectively, or error P0350 is common for ignition coil malfunction.

How long can I drive with a bad ignition coil? Of course, you shouldn't drive with a broken coil more than several kilometres. First, try clearing the errors using inCarDoc. It may be an error in one of the sensors and there may be no physical damage. However, if the error persists and the engine check light continues to flash, contact a specialist or have your car inspected. Replacing the coil will definitely solve the problem, but don't put it off.

In this article, we answered the question: "What are the symptoms of a bad ignition coil?" In this article, we answered the question: "What are the symptoms of a bad ignition coil?" We covered common signs such as engine misfires, rough idling, poor fuel economy, loss of power, and the Check Engine Light turning on. These symptoms can affect your car's performance and lead to more serious damage if ignored. If you're wondering what would cause an ignition coil to burn up, it's usually a result of one or more of these factors putting stress on the coil. Regular maintenance, including timely spark plug replacement, helps prevent ignition coil failure.