Ignition coil: signs of malfunction and causes of failure

As is known, two conditions are necessary for engine operation: a combustible mixture and a spark. The exception is diesel engines. In them, ignition occurs due to the high compression of air. However, in cars with a gasoline engine, of which there are a majority on the roads, the ignition coil often fails. Symptoms of the malfunction may be different. Well, let's pay more attention to this mechanism.

Symptoms of a malfunction of the coil of ignition

• Unstable operation of the engine. In people it is called a trip. This word appeared even in the times of the USSR, when one of the cylinders did not work on the Soviet "classics". And as you know, on all VAZ engines were four cylinders. Accordingly, the phenomenon, when one of them does not work, is called tripling. In this case, characteristic vibrations can occur. Also, the motorist will hear the uneven work of the motor - as if something is missing. This is understandable, because one of the cylinders runs idle, that is, the combustible mixture in it does not ignite.
• The "malfunctioning" motor. If one or more cylinders do not work in the engine, there may be dips in acceleration. The machine will twitch, vibrate. Also, the car is very slow to gain speed.
• The yellow Check Cheg lamp. The control lamps on the instrument panel may well become a sign of a malfunction of the ignition coil. It is worth noting that this error is not necessarily related to this malfunction. The lamp only signals generalized problems with the engine. If "Check Angin" is lit on the dashboard, it means that a failure has occurred in any system. The car must be thoroughly diagnosed.
• High fuel consumption. In view of the fact that one cylinder does not work, the other three (or more depending on the engine design) take on the entire load. Accordingly, to resume the previous power, the motor will need more energy. The fuel consumption can increase by 10-50 percent.
• Difficult start of the engine. In the case of malfunctions with a coil, the driver may experience problems of this kind. And they arise and with a cold, and with a warm engine. Especially often the difficult start of the motor is observed in wet weather.

Also note that, if the car does not start at all, this is not a sign of a coil failure. The fact is that there are several of them in the engine. Usually each cylinder has its own coil. For older ones, the voltage is produced immediately by two cylinders. Therefore, the motor will work until the last. If the car does not start at all, all coils could fail at once. However, this is unlikely. In this case, experts recommend checking the fuses in the unit and the corresponding relays. Why does this happen? The causes of the failure of the coils will be discussed later.

Candles

As is known, these elements play a key role in the ignition of the combustible mixture. The voltage from the ignition coil is applied to the spark plugs. Therefore it is not surprising that because of poor-quality elements, repair of the ignition coil is required. Do not buy cheap analogs. Such candles can greatly damage the ignition system, in particular the coil.

Heat

The coil generates a huge tension. Therefore, it is constantly in a mode of high loads. Of course, manufacturers take this moment into account. But as practice shows, the temperature regime does not always match the claimed one. If the motor runs at high speed, the ignition elements may overheat. Not only high-voltage wires fail, but also coils themselves fail. Allowed only short-term loads in the red line of the tachometer.

Breakdown of insulation

Just like on candles, there can be a breakdown in isolation. How can this be caused? Often breakdown occurs due to streaks of oil that form at the joints of the valve cover, head and other elements. With increasing speed, the oil pressure increases. The oil begins to fall on all elements, including the ignition coil. Symptoms of failure: dips in acceleration, twitching and high fuel consumption. To prevent this, watch for the cleanliness of the engine compartment.

Please note that a breakdown of insulation may occur due to motor washing. Excess moisture gets to the contacts, which causes a short circuit. To prevent this, close not only the battery, but also the coil itself. It is also recommended to insulate the cap of the trambler if it is an old car. By the way, a wet trambler is the most popular reason why a car does not start at all. Sometimes you can limit the drying of contacts. But in 80 percent of cases only replacement is saved.

Natural wear

The ignition coil is designed for a long service life. It is not uncommon for an element to work after a run of 150-200 thousand kilometers without a single replacement. But with each kilometer the resource of the coil is reduced. To contribute to breakage can installation of substandard candles or inaccurate washing of the engine compartment. At one point the part can simply not withstand the loads.

Ignition Coil: Prices

The cost of this element varies significantly. So, on domestic "frets" you can find a coil for 600-800 rubles. But on the tenth "Lancer", which is so popular in Russia, a new element costs at least 3 thousand rubles. It is cheaper only from the showdown. But here you will not get any guarantees and information about the remaining resource. You can go and another way - to repair the ignition coil. This will save a lot of money. But the ignition coil circuit is quite complicated. With your own hands, you can repair only the cracks - seal with a specialized glue.