Araparts Ignition Coils FAQs - What Causes Ignition Coil Failure?
There are a few common reasons that ignition coils fail, including age, or if they are overworked. For example, if the spark plugs are worn out or the wires are dealing with too much resistance, the ignition system will end up working harder, leading to problems. In addition, the plastic cases of the coils have a tendency to crack from overexposure to heat, or if the electrical terminals are corroded. When any of the above happens, you can end up dealing with ignition coil failure. Following are a few Araparts ignition coils questions and answers regarding how ignition coils function, what causes them to fail, diagnosis and more.
Ignition Coil Functions
Ignition coils are located in the ignition system and their primary purpose is to convert the battery's low voltage into the thousands of volts that are required to generate the "spark" in the spark plugs that's necessary in order to ignite the fuel. A typical coil pack converts the 12 volts generally produced by the battery to the recommended voltage. Starting in 2014, ignition coil packs were designed using either an internal resistor or connected with an external resistor. These regulate the flow of voltage from the battery into the coil, ensuring that the vehicle's systems continue to be secure during ignition. For more info regarding ignition coil functions click here.
What are the warning signs of ignition coil failure?
Fortunately, there are noticeable signs of ignition coil failure because of the impact it has on the engine. One of the main signs of failure is misfiring, backfiring problems maintaining power and eventually having trouble starting the vehicle. It's also important to note that the warning signs of ignition coil failure can vary, depending on the automobile. If the engine has single coil or a coil pack, in most cases it will abruptly stop running if the ignition coil fails.
What if my vehicle has a coil on plug ignition system?
In this case, ignition coil failure can result in a misfire in one or more of the cylinders, all at once. While the engine will continue to run, it will run rough and lack power. There are, however coil on plug ignition coils that control two cylinders and have a waste spark system. This ignition system can experience odd failures, including causing both cylinders to misfire or just one.
How do I diagnose an ignition coil problem?
The "check engine light" is a good place to start when it comes to diagnosing a failed or ignition coil. A handy tool worth you’ll want to pick up is an OBD II scanner. Using this tool, you can get what is referred to as a "trouble code" that tells you which of the cylinders are misfiring. Armed with this information you can replace the failing coil.
I need to replace the ignition coils - where do I go now?
If you need to replace your ignition coil(s), Arapart has you covered. Check out our large selection of affordable ignition coils on araparts.com, all covered by a minimum if at least a 1-year warranty. Another perk that comes with ordering Araparts ignition coils is that the shipping charges are included in the price. If you have any questions about the products we carry, or prefer to order over the phone, feel free to call (916) 585-6835.
