When an engine misfires, we often assume there’s a problem with a spark plug, but sometimes the fault lies with an ignition coil that’s failing to give the spark plug sufficient electrical voltage. If you suspect a faulty ignition coil, you can visually inspect the coil yourself or have a technician at your nearest Chevy dealer check it for you. Here are five common indications that one or more of your ignition coils is having trouble.
Does Your Chevy Have a Faulty Ignition Coil?
Engine Misfiring
While functioning well, an ignition coil continually transforms the low electrical voltage from the alternator and battery into a far more powerful voltage for the spark plug. If a coil stops working, the spark plug begins misfiring: it can no longer consistently generate the sparks that ignite the fuel and power your car.
Misfiring spark plugs make your engine judder and cough, especially when you slow down in traffic or while parking. If the problem is really bad, your car might even stall.
Reduced Acceleration
When one or more of your ignition coils stops providing the engine with sufficient electricity, the engine loses power. You’ll find that you can no longer accelerate as rapidly as usual, nor maintain as much speed on the highway.
Falling Gas Mileage
As misfiring engines burn fuel less efficiently, your car won’t have as much gas mileage as before. If you’re spending more money on gas than you used to, one of your ignition coils might be to blame.
Thickening Exhaust Fumes
Misfiring causes unburned fuel to build up inside the combustion chambers. This unburned fuel may drip back into the exhaust system, where it can really wreak havoc. If the unburned fuel ignites improperly, such as inside the catalytic converter, it will cause a great deal of damage, and you’ll see black smoke thickening your exhaust fumes.
Blinking Check Engine Light
The various engine problems caused by a faulty coil will soon be detected by your vehicle’s sensors. You’ll then see the check engine light come to life on your dashboard. Although the check engine light won’t specify the source of the problem, a technician will soon work it out.
How Your Chevy Dealer Checks a Faulty Coil
When an ignition coil malfunctions, the technician needs to determine if it needs to be cleaned or replaced. They’ll visually inspect the ignition coil for signs of a burned-out electrode or structural cracks.
They’ll also use a multimeter to test its conductivity. If an ignition coil is only caked in carbon deposits, it might be cleaned and restored to good working order. Otherwise, it will often need to be replaced.
Have the source of your car’s engine trouble diagnosed and repaired today at Bommarito Chevrolet South County. We’re a local full-service dealership dedicated to providing top-notch customer service, whatever your vehicle-related needs may be.
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