Best Auto Repair News & Updates

Vehicle problems often emerge when we least expect them and can become a thorn in your side for weeks or even months. However, any problems with your vehicle should be looked at by a professional mechanic as soon as possible because some can turn into greater headaches down the line and cause additional issues.

Knowing this, problems with your ignition coil can be serious and a worn ignition coil should be replaced as soon as you notice the signs that it is time. Under the hood, a number of small components work together to keep your car functioning properly, and an ignition coil is one of those pieces. Without this coil, your car would not be able to start or run at all. So, getting it fixed when needed should be a high priority.

The Function of the Ignition Coil

As mentioned, your vehicle would not function without the ignition coil. This coil is essentially a powerful conductor that turns the voltage from your battery into the strong energy needed to jump the spark plug. This ignites the air and fuel mixture within the engine. If your ignition coil is faulty, this voltage may not be transferred, so the engine may not fire. This can leave you in a no-start situation.

Modern cars typically have more than one ignition coil to reduce the stress on each one, but this means more coils could potentially become worn over time. If one single ignition coil becomes faulty, the engine may misfire, as the cylinders will become out of sync.

Without a working ignition coil, the air and fuel won’t ignite in the combustion chamber for one or more cylinders. This will cause them not to fire. When this occurs, your engine will not receive the power needed to move the vehicle or even start it. Therefore, keeping an eye out for some of the signs that an ignition coil in your vehicle is worn should be a top priority.

If you spot any of the following signs, don’t hesitate to take your vehicle into the shop right away.

Common Signs of a Worn Ignition Coil

As mentioned, a worn ignition coil should be fairly easy to identify since the symptoms are obvious for any vehicle owner. Stay vigilant for the following signs and take your vehicle in when necessary.

Check Engine Light Illuminates

Your vehicle's onboard computer is set to detect even the smallest detrimental issue under the hood. A worn ignition coil is a problem that could potentially force the computer to signal the check engine light. There are a number of reasons this light may turn on, but seeing this light combined with some of the below signs should indicate that a worn ignition coil is the cause of your grief.

Backfiring

When the ignition coil doesn’t do its job properly, unused fuel in the combustion cylinders of the engine may leave through the exhaust pipe. This is not healthy for your car as a whole. So, if this is occurring, take your car in immediately to your trusted shop. Additionally, if you smell gasoline in the smoke resulting from a backfire, it may be indicative of an ignition coil problem as the cause.

Misfiring Engine

As mentioned, the ignition coil being worn on one cylinder may cause a lack of a spark in the combustion chamber. If this occurs, the cylinder won’t fire and your engine may misfire. This will likely sound like a coughing or sputtering noise and should tell you that something is wrong with either the spark plugs or the ignition coil.

Your Car Stalls

If your ignition coil becomes worn, the sparks resulting from the energy transfer may be irregular. This could cause the vehicle to stall and simply not work. Stay vigilant, however, as your car stalling while driving down the road can be dangerous for everyone. It’s always best to pull over right away when this happens.

Huron Automotive For Your Vehicle Needs

At Huron Automotive, we understand how frustrating a worn  ignition coil can be as well as the additional problems it may cause. Our experience serving clients in the area of Green Bay, WI means that we have the technical know-how to fix your vehicle’s ignition coil.

Additionally, we have serviced various different makes and models of vehicles which ensures that we can solve your specific problem quickly.

Give us a call to set up an appointment today in order to get your car working as designed so you can drive with confidence. We look forward to earning your trust and patronage for your future needs.