What are the symptoms of a bad distributor coil?
Ignition Coil Problems, Symptoms and Solutions
- Engine misfires.
- Rough idle.
- A decrease in car power, especially in acceleration.
- Poor fuel economy.
- Difficulty starting the engine.
- Check engine light is on.
- Exhaust backfiring.
- Increased hydrocarbon emissions.
Can I replace just one ignition coil?
You can of course change just one coil. However, as a mechanic I’ve seen it so many times, when one coil fails another isn’t too far behind. If your coils are easy to access, replacing them as they fail is OK, apart from the inconvenience. It is possible to drive a car with a faulty coil but it isn’t advised.
What mileage should ignition coils be replaced?
around 100,000 miles
The ignition coil on your car is supposed to last around 100,000 miles or more. There are a number of factors that can lead to this part become damaged prematurely. Most of the newer cars on the market have a hard plastic cover that is designed to protect the coil from damage.
Should I replace all ignition coils with spark plugs?
A faulty ignition coil cannot be repaired; it must be replaced. In cases like this, your mechanic may recommend replacing all three rear ignition coils as a preventative measure. Whenever one of the ignition coils fails, it’s also recommended replacing all spark plugs if they haven’t been replaced in a while.
What happens when the ignition coil goes bad?
One of the most common symptoms associated with a faulty ignition coil is engine performance issues. Faulty coils may cause the vehicle to experience misfires, a rough idle, a loss in power and acceleration, and a reduction in gas mileage. In some cases the performance issues may even result in the vehicle stalling.
How do I know if my ignition coil needs changing?
Signs of a Bad Ignition Coil
- Illuminated Check Engine Light. With most modern vehicles, a faulty ignition coil is enough to turn on the Check Engine Light.
- Misfiring Engine. If an ignition coil is not working properly, your engine will likely misfire.
- Hard Starts.
- Worsening Gas Mileage.
- Diminished Power.
- Sudden Backfires.