Sep 3, 2021

The purpose of an ignition coil is to convert the low current from a car battery into enough power to ignite the fuel and start the engine. When there is a problem with an ignition coil, it will cause a range of mechanical and performance issues. The following signs will warn you that your vehicle has a faulty ignition coil and get professional help from your Lafayette, LA, Cadillac Dealer.

The inside of a cars engine, showing the ignition coil

Loss of Power

This is one of the first symptoms of ignition coil failure. If you have ignition coil troubles, your vehicle will feel sluggish, and you will experience a loss of power. This is caused by irregular sparks to bring about the required combustion. When you experience a loss of power, take your vehicle for maintenance to avoid further damage that will cost you more money to repair.

Check Engine Light On

The check engine light will come on if your vehicle misfires or is hard to start. This problem is often caused by a malfunctioning ignition coil. The best cause of action is to contact your Cadillac technician for an engine diagnostic as soon as you can before the issue results in costly repairs.

Poor Fuel Economy

If you drive the same distances but visit the gas station more often, it’s a sign of ignition coil failure. When an ignition coil fails, an incorrect 02 sensor read sends more gas than required. You will fill up more often because the spark plugs are not getting enough power, and to compensate, the system injects more fuel.

Backfiring

When your vehicle starts to backfire, a bad ignition coil could be the culprit. A vehicle makes a loud bang sound when unused fuel in the combustion cylinders explodes, causing black smoke to emerge from the exhaust pipe and the strong smell of gas. If the problem is not attended to immediately, it will cause damage to the system.

Misfiring Engine

A malfunctioning ignition coil will cause your vehicle to misfire when you accelerate. In extreme cases, a misfire could cause your vehicle to shut down while you are driving. The misfire is a result of one of the cylinders fires incorrectly or not at all. The emission can cause damage to the catalytic converter and other engine components.

Hard Starts and Stalling

The ignition needs to spark at just the right time for the engine to start and a vehicle to run. If an ignition coil is malfunctioning and not delivering the required voltage to the spark plugs, you will find it hard to start the engine. If your vehicle stalls when you stop and even shut off completely, it could be a bad ignition coil sending irregular sparks to the spark plugs.

Spluttering and Coughing Sounds

If you hear spluttering and coughing sounds when you start the engine, an ignition coil is causing the problem. The sounds come from a cylinder that is not firing at all during the ignition process.

Jerking and Vibrating

Another issue a failing ignition coil causes are vibrations when the vehicle is idling. You will also feel your vehicle hesitate and jerk forward when you step on the accelerator to increase speed.

If you experience any ignition coil issues, act fast and get professional help from a qualified Cadillac technician as soon as you can to avoid costly repairs. Visit Service Cadillac today, and our expert technicians will ensure that your Cadillac is in excellent running condition.