Do You Have a Faulty Ignition Coil?

You can’t get any road trip off to a good start, or any start at all, without your ignition. A faulty ignition coil can put a quick damper on your driving. Find out how your Kia dealer can help.

What Are the Signs of a Faulty Ignition Coil?

The most obvious signal that something may be amiss is that your car won’t start. The worst-case scenario most often happens when more than one coil fails at the same time or if your vehicle relies mainly on a single coil. Start-ups may also lag during cold conditions. If you haven’t reached a critical state yet, be on the lookout for these other mishaps.

Engine Issues

Since ignition coils help provide power to the engine, a deteriorating coil will inevitably impact the engine. If your “Check Engine” indicator lights up the dashboard, the ignition coil could be the culprit. The coil may also be responsible for rough sounds when you are starting up the car or when your engine is idling.

Most commonly, your engine may misfire frequently. This circumstance results from gas buildup and detonation occurring at the wrong times, such as when your car accelerates. The jerking sensations may only happen sporadically at first, but as a coil or set of coils deteriorate the misfires will increase. In addition to misfires, your engine might begin stalling and causing a shut-down of the vehicle if you stop it in traffic.

Poor Gas Mileage

If spark plugs are failing to provide the necessary power to your car because of bad ignition coils, the vehicle will look for other sources of energy to compensate. Fuel will therefore be gobbled up at a higher rate. As a consequence, your fuel economy will suffer and you’ll get fewer miles for your fill-ups.

Faltering Auto Parts

The negative chain reaction of a malfunctioning ignition coil can extend to other crucial components of your car. For one, your car may backfire because of unused fuel. Black smoke and a distinct gasoline smell will come from your exhaust pipe. This symptom means that your exhaust system itself could be experiencing significant damage, especially the catalytic converter.

Further, a bad coil may start overheating and crack the structure in which it is encased. Since this structure is filled with oil, leaks can result. The oil leaks in turn can flood your carburetor and cause harm to this car part.

How Can Your Kia Dealer Help?

Since other issues may cause some of the same problems as bad ignition coils, a certified technician can best pinpoint the cause of your car’s ailments. Technicians can also provide a better read of the codes associated with dashboard indicator error lights. If special equipment like a multimeter is needed to test the coils, technicians will have these tools easily on hand.

And whether you ultimately need new coils or need another fix like a new set of spark plugs, an expert service team can replace your parts with expertise and precision.

Could you use some expert maintenance for your ride? Contact our service department at Crain Kia of Sherwood and ease your worries with affordable, hassle-free, professional auto aid.

Image via Kia.

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