Ignition coils supply the engine’s spark plugs with a steady flow of electricity. If you have a bad coil, your spark plugs will soon stop sparking and your engine will run into all kinds of trouble. Here are six clear symptoms of a faulty ignition coil. If you want your car to keep functioning properly, have your faulty coils cleaned or repaired at your local Chrysler dealership without delay.
Misfiring Engine
When a spark plug fails because its ignition coil can no longer generate sufficient voltage, that cylinder will misfire. The misfiring causes a car to sputter and shudder, especially when the driver slows down at traffic lights or attempts to accelerate. As the problem worsens, the misfiring may cause the engine to stall.
Reduced Engine Power
Without all the ignition coils and spark plugs firing at full capacity, a car’s engine will rapidly lose power. You’ll find it harder to accelerate, and your car will generally start feeling slower. If you notice a loss of power, it’s best to head to your nearest dealership right away to have the problem resolved.
Falling Fuel Economy
A failing ignition coil will prevent the spark plug from efficiently burning away all the fuel being injected into the combustion chamber. On top of this, your engine may try to compensate for a misfiring cylinder by injecting more fuel than usual. This results in the vehicle guzzling more gas with fewer miles to show for it.
Backfiring Exhaust System
When bad coils cause misfiring, an excess of unburned fuel begins to build up inside the affected combustion chambers. This unburned fuel can begin to leak back into the exhaust system, where it might suddenly ignite, causing a loud bang. And if the unburned fuel reaches the catalytic converter and ignites there, it might destroy your cat.
Black Tailpipe Smoke
When the excess unburned fuel caused by a bad cat reaches the exhaust system, it will often begin to burn away in the heat of the exhaust pipes. Even if the fuel doesn’t ignite and cause backfiring, it will usually cause black smoke to pour from the tailpipe behind your vehicle.
Flashing Check Engine Light
When ignition coils fail, the various resulting engine problems will usually be detected by the car’s sensors. This will cause the check engine light to appear on the dashboard: a sure sign your car needs the attention of a mechanic without delay.
Ask Your Chrysler Dealer to Clean Your Car’s Coils
Ignition coils can sometimes become fouled by a build-up of carbon deposits and other contaminants. A dirtied coil will eventually malfunction, but a technician may still be able to clean and restore it to good use.
It’s advisable to have your ignition coils cleaned once every 30,000 miles or so. That way, your coils, spark plugs, and engine are all likely to keep working smoothly for longer.
Visit All American Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Odessa today to have your car’s coils cleaned, repaired, or replaced. We’re a CARFAX top-rated dealership with a broad range of top-notch vehicles on offer and knowledgeable, helpful staff ready to resolve all of your car-related issues.
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