When a car's engine starts to misfire and lose power, it usually means that the spark plugs are having trouble igniting the fuel. One common cause for a faltering spark plug is a faulty ignition coil failing to deliver the necessary high-voltage electrical charge. Let's look in more detail at the various symptoms of a bad ignition coil, any of which should prompt you to visit your local Ford dealer for repairs.Â
Misfiring Engine Cylinders
Ignition coils generate powerful surges of electrical voltage for the spark plugs, allowing the plugs to consistently ignite the fuel-air mixture inside the engine's cylinders. If one or more of your ignition coils fail, the corresponding spark plugs will no longer be able to do their job. The result is misfiring cylinders, which usually makes the engine cough, sputter, and jolt erratically.
Plummeting Engine Power
While one or more of your engine's cylinders are misfiring, the overall engine power will drop. You'll find it suddenly more difficult to accelerate, which can be dangerous when you need a burst ofspeed,d such as when overtaking another car or crossing an intersection.
Trouble Starting the Engine
In the mornings, when you first start your car's engine, the spark plugs need a reliable surge of electrical power. But if you have a faulty coil, this charge may fail to come. At the least, you'll find it harder to start your engine. At worst, you may not be able to start your car at all.
Diminishing Gas Mileage
Your fuel economy will also steadily decline when you have a bad ignition coil. This is because the spark plugs won't be igniting the fuel as efficiently. Your engine may also try to compensate for the misfiring by injecting more fuel than usual, which will only lead to worsening fuel efficiency.
Backfiring and Black Smoke
As a bad coil leads to a misfiring spark plug, an excess of fuel will start to build up inside the combustion chamber. This excess of fuel can sometimes ignite just as the chamber is opening, which creates a loud backfire.
The excess fuel can also start to leak back into the exhaust system. Inside the enormous heat of the exhaust pipes, this fuel can then ignite or partially ignite, causing further backfiring and black smoke to pour from your tailpipe.
Blinking Check Engine Light
The various engine problems caused by a malfunctioning ignition coil will soon be detected by your car's sensors. You'll then see the check engine light appear on your dashboard, letting you know it's time to visit a technician.
Have your ignition coils repaired or replaced today at Conway Ford. We provide a local one-stop shop for all your car-related purchasing and servicing needs.
