Ignition Coils for car engines are part of an ignition system that uses a coil to create the electric charge that is sent to the spark plugs. When the coils start to fail, there are usually few symptoms that indicate the failure of coils. Recently, however, we have been seeing a rise in coil problems as they sometimes fail well before the expected replacements. Here are some of the signs that your car ignition coils are failing.
Poor fuel economy – If you find that you are fueling frequently to drive the same distance, there is a good chance that the ignition coils are failing. Coils become weak and non-responsive, which causes a higher fuel consumption than normal as well as an increase in emissions.
Engine misfires – the engine will not fire at all or the engine runs rough with hard starts. This can also be caused by a lack of spark plugs. When you try to accelerate or make a hard start, it will pull harder than it should. These problems could also be caused because of the ignition coils not reaching their full output. the emission may cause damage to other engine components.
Backfiring-the engine will suddenly begin to “backfire” which is a loud knocking sound that comes from the engine. This happens when the spark plug’s electrodes fail to ignite fuel during the combustion process leading to a sharp bang or pop throughout the vehicle.
Vibrating and jerking
When the vehicle is idling it may vibrate or jerk. This is often caused by a bad ignition coil. When you try to accelerate and make a hard start, the engine may vibrate or jerk as well. This is also caused by a weak or failing spark plug.
Noise- When the engine is on, you may hear a buzzing or rattling sound from the engine compartment. This interference is coming from the ignition coil.
Loss of power- When the ignition coil fails, it will cause a loss of power as well as increase emissions. This is caused by irregular sparks and post-ignition of the exhaust. Take your car for maintenance once a month to keep it running like new.
Check Engine light on-when your ignition coils fail, the Check Engine light will turn on. This could be caused by irregular spark plug gap and timing, which may lead to expensive repairs for your automobile. The Check Engine light might even flash on intermittently.
The engine hard starting- This is a common symptom we see when the ignition coils fail. It may start up with a backfire or two but then turn on normally.
Conclusion
Ignition coils are vital to our car’s engines as they help burn fuel and create the power that is needed to turn the engine over and start it up. When coils do go bad, this may cause your car to have a lack of power and unsafe emissions. Ignition coils are often overlooked when car owners notice a lack of power or a jerking or vibrating engine. It is important to have your coils checked as much as possible to avoid serious damage.
