An ignition coil is basically an induction coil that transforms current from the battery into a high voltage current used by the spark plugs. A properly working ignition coil would enhance the performance of the engine. If your engine isn’t performing optimally, possibly, it is due to a faulty engine coil. Let’s discover the underlying reasons behind it and the ignition coil cost to be considered while replacing it.
What is an Ignition Coil?
The ignition coil also referred to as ‘Spark Coil,’ helps to start the car engine. It is a crucial component of the ignition system. Although the car battery offers a voltage of 12V, it still needs thousands of Volts to ignite the spark plug. The ignition coil handles the job of converting 12 Volts into thousands of Volts. The ignition coil’s inability to provide the energy makes spark production impossible for the plug needed for combustion. The car won’t start without the combustion process.
Classification of Ignition Coils
The ignition coils have been divided into various types. Let us have a look at each one of them:
Conventional Ignition Coil
The conventional type of ignition coil receives power from the battery via the resistor. The current moves through the windings of the primary coil, thereby create a magnetic field. These points, when left open, break the existing electrical circuit; as a result, the magnetic field collapses. The current moves from the distributors to the spark plugs within a fraction of a second. These systems have some demerits as they break down, change spark time, and mess with the engine’s efficiency. After driving 12000 miles, you must determine the ignition coil cost and replace it.
Distributorless Ignition
The distributors’ ignition Coil draws more energy from multiple coils. Three of them are mounted using a coil pack.
Coil On Plug Ignition System
In the coil-on-plug ignition system, a coil is placed on the top of the spark plug. Individual coils generally produce sparks. This helps to reduce the emissions and surge the horsepower giving more optimized control on spark timing.
The ignition coil price depends on the type of ignition coil installed in the car.
Symptoms of a Bad Ignition Coil
If the vehicle starts moving steadily and hasn’t been working smoothly, there is some issue with the ignition coil. The possible reason could be a bad ignition coil, and the symptoms would depend on the severity of the condition. Let’s have a look at each one of them:
Backfiring
Backfiring is the warning sign which indicates that the ignition coil has failed. A car backfiring occurs when unused fuel present in the engine’s combustion cylinders moves through the exhaust pipe. The gasoline smell coming out of the smoke indicates that the ignition coil has failed. Neglecting the issues would lead to costly repairs later on.
Poor Fuel Economy
A poor fuel economy indicates the ignition coil failure. Your vehicle starts receiving less mileage than before, resulting in a failed ignition coil.
Misfiring Engine
The leading cause of engine misfiring is ignition coil failure. You may face this issue while starting the engine with coughing and sputtering sounds coming from the car. As the car moves, jerking and spitting become its usual behavior. At times you may notice vibrations when in an idle state at a stop sign or light. If you suspect such things in your vehicle, determine the ignition coil price and get it replaced.
Stalling Vehicle
You might notice the vehicle stalling during an ignition pump failure. This is because irregular sparks are delivered to spark plugs by faulty coils. The car might shut down completely, and restarting it becomes a hassle for you.
Illuminating Engine Light
The illuminating engine light clearly indicates that there are issues with the ignition coil. Common symptoms would be rough idling, engine jerking, and hesitation while accelerating. It appears as if there is a shortage of power in the vehicle.
Issues While Starting the Engine
It isn’t easy to start the engine of the vehicle with a single coil. The coil starts malfunctioning, and the engine starts cranking without any sparks in the cylinders.
If you notice any of the symptoms, it is time to give serious consideration to them and go for an ignition coil replacement.
Average Cost of Replacing the Ignition Coil
Ignition coil price is a crucial factor that must be considered before purchasing the coil. The cost of fixing the ignition coil falls between $264 to $376.This encompasses labor cost and cost of parts. The labor costs are between $99 to $126.Fixing the ignition coil by yourself can help you save a lot of money. The parts cost generally lies between $165 to $250.The money spent depends on whether you want to replace it yourself or with the help of a mechanic.
Where to Purchase Ignition Coils From?
The Internet is flooded with endless ignition coil choices, and choosing the right one is difficult. Associate with a reputable store such as ‘The Auto Parts Shop‘ that brings the best car parts at nominal prices. The best part is the experts at the store give guidelines to simplify the buying process.
The Bottom Line
If there are problems with the ignition coil, resolve them sooner to prevent issues later. Always prefer a trusted store while purchasing an ignition coil for your car.