The ignition coil is of crucial importance for the engine. Defects in this part can quickly limit the functionality of the car. So, it is very important to find and eliminate the fault quickly. We will show you how to replace the ignition coil and which elements you should pay particular attention to.
The ignition coil and its function in the engine
An ignition coil serves as a kind of transformer in a vehicle and is responsible for igniting the fuel. The ignition coil provides the high voltage required. The latter is conducted via ignition cables to spark plugs and ignites the fuel there.
The number of ignition coils in the engine varies depending on the manufacturer and model of the vehicle. In newer vehicles, one ignition coil is often responsible for two or even one cylinder. This makes it even more difficult to identify which one is defective.
How an ignition coil is constructed?
An ignition coil consists of two wires wound differently around a laminated iron core. When an electric current flows through the primary and secondary winding, an electromagnetic field builds up in the ignition coil.
This enables the required high ignition voltage of approximately 30,000 volts to be generated. If the ignition coil is damaged, this process goes on no longer. The necessary ignition voltage is therefore no longer achieved, and the spark plugs triggered by the ignition coil can no longer ignite the fuel.
Signs of a defective ignition coil
Finding a defective ignition coil is often not that easy. However, there are quite a few indications of defects with individual ignition coils in the engine. These include the following:
– The car regularly starts with difficulties. That is, it regularly fails to ignite on the first attempt.
– The engine runs out of sync and sounds unclean. Pay regular attention to the engine noises in order to be able to tell the difference.
– The engine warning light or the engine control light in the dashboard lights up.
Why does an ignition coil become defective?
The ignition coils belong to the wear parts on the car too. This is due to constant use and the resistance of the spark plugs which leads to signs of wear.
The more kilometres the car ran, the higher the chance of a defective ignition coil. However, a faulty voltage supply to the ignition coil or moisture may cause damage to the ignition coil in the long term, leading to such a failure as well.
To replace or to have it replaced?
As a rule, it is not necessary to take the vehicle to a workshop to replace an ignition coil. Since in most cases these are very easy to reach and the replacement of the ignition coils can be done quickly, if you would like to. A workshop cannot charge an excessive amount of money for this work either. If you already bring the ignition coil with you as a spare part, the costs often drop significantly. If you have the manual skills to replace it, this is a good way to save a little money.
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Replacing the ignition coil step by step
The procedure of replacing may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, the basic steps are the same for all manufacturers and models. Simply follow these instructions and spare some time.
- You are working on the electrical circuit of the vehicle. So, it is vital that the battery stays completely disconnected from the electrical circuit.
- Now remove the engine cover. Depending on the vehicle, it may require separate tools.
- Remove the cables from the ignition coil. If necessary, mark the cables or take a photo of the arrangement of the cables on the ignition coil.
- Now unscrew and remove the ignition coil.
- Insert the new ignition coil
- Screw on the ignition coil
- Reconnect the cables. Check the position of the cables. Make sure that the cables are positioned correctly there.
- Put on the engine cover
- Reconnect the battery
- Test the engine
- The engine should start immediately and run significantly smoother. You should be able to tell by the sound alone whether all cylinders are working again and thus the replacement has been successful.
Pay attention to these during the replacement
Even though replacing an ignition coil seems very simple and uncomplicated, you should still pay attention to some important points:
Always (!) disconnect the battery when working on the vehicle’s electronics.
The ignition coils are connected to the batteries, the ignition distributor and the spark plugs. Mark all connections accurately. Mistakes when reconnecting the cables may lead to non-functioning cylinders, as the mixture of petrol and air will not be ignited. Thus, the replacement would have remained meaningless. Use the possibility to mark the connections or take a photo of the ignition coil with all cables still attached. This way you will always have the right picture in front of you.
Important note: Ignition coils do not have to be replaced all at once. Unlike spark plugs, you can replace ignition coils individually without any problems. However, this does not apply if the manufacturer of your vehicle or your vehicle model is known to have faults with the ignition coils. In such a case, it makes sense to replace all ignition coils to avoid having to deal with errors later.
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Costs to be expected
Ignition coils are not that expensive. Depending on a manufacturer and a vehicle, you can expect between 50 and 160 pounds for a new ignition coil. Even if you replace all the ignition coils, the cost of replacement is still reasonable.
This is mainly because the expensive ignition coils are usually used for several cylinders at the same time, thus reducing the number of ignition coils in the system. Moreover, the costs for the workshop visit are also within reasonable limits. As a rule, the work costs between 50 and 130 pounds. So, if you do not want to or cannot replace the ignition coil yourself, the workshop visit remains financially justifiable.
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