While a car is on the road, the ignition coil in each engine cylinder continually produces high-voltage surges of electricity for the spark plugs. If one of your coils suffers a fault, the corresponding spark plug will no longer be able to ignite the fuel inside the combustion chamber. This will result in various engine problems, and you’ll notice the warning signs outlined below. Learn six signs of a faulty ignition coil before heading to your local Nissan dealer for repairs.
Engine Misfiring
If your engine suddenly starts coughing and shaking, appearing to struggle to keep going, then at least one spark plug might be misfiring. This misfiring can result from a malfunctioning ignition coil failing to provide the necessary voltage. There are various other potential causes of misfiring; you may need a technician to diagnose the cause.
Plummeting Power
When a failing coil stops allowing the spark plug to fire the cylinder, your vehicle’s engine will rapidly lose power. This will become most notable when you need to accelerate and find that you can’t gain quite the same surge of speed as usual.
Falling Gas Mileage
While a bad coil might prevent the spark plug from firing, the fuel injector is still pumping fuel into the cylinder. This means your car will be guzzling more gas than usual, and you might find yourself stopping to refill the fuel tank more frequently.
Trouble Starting
When starting a car, the spark plugs need a strong and reliable supply of electricity. With one or more of your coils failing to provide this voltage, you might find it difficult to start the engine at all. The colder the weather and engine, the harder it will be to start.
Loud Backfiring
When a faulty coil causes misfiring, an excess of unburned fuel starts to collect inside the cylinder. This excess fuel rapidly builds up and can sometimes ignite all at once just as the valve is opening. This creates a loud bang known as backfiring.
Check Engine Light
With one or more faltering coils, it won’t take long for the check engine light to appear on your dashboard. However, this warning light won’t tell you specifically that a coil is malfunctioning. You’ll probably need to have a technician run a diagnostic check to figure that out.
Your Nissan Dealer Can Clean, Refurbish, or Replace a Faulty Coil
Sometimes, a fouled coil can be cleaned and restored to its proper function. More seriously damaged coils can sometimes be repaired or refurbished. However, much of the time, a faulty coil simply needs to be replaced. In addition, many of the above symptoms could also be caused by other factors. A factory-certified technician at the dealership can diagnose the problem and offer the optimal solution for both your car’s performance and your budget.Visit Auffenberg Nissan in Shiloh, IL today to have your engine’s coils inspected and repaired. We’re a local full-service dealership with a great range of new and pre-owned cars, and courteous, knowledgeable staff on hand to help resolve your car-related issues.
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