3 Signs of a Faulty Ignition Coil

Ignition coils act like mini transformers. A coil is connected to each spark plug, boosting its 12-volt output to 30,000 volts and igniting the fuel-air mixture to produce combustion. Coils will wear out due to age and can be damaged by spark plug failures or other engine issues. As your Honda dealership, we want to tell you a few signs you may need to visit us for new coils.

Fuel-Air Mixture Problems

The engine requires fuel and air to mix in a precise ratio of 14:1 air-to-fuel to produce efficient combustion. Too much air or too much fuel creates an imbalance. This affects engine performance and damages the coils. If the engine has too much air, the mixture is fuel-lean, while too much fuel makes the mixture fuel-rich.

A fuel-lean engine forces the spark plugs to work harder as there’s less fuel to burn. This causes their connected coils to fire more often and wear out faster. A fuel-rich engine creates carbon, which sticks to the plugs and coils. Sticky carbon deposits make it harder for the plugs and coils to work, and this damages the coils. Our technicians can correct the fuel-air mixture issue and test the coils, replacing them if they’re damaged.

Old Coils

Coils wear out in time like all other components. On average, coils need replacement every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. The correct replacement time for your coils is listed in your Honda handbook. Worn coils provide less power to the spark plugs, making igniting the fuel-air mixture more difficult. If the spark plugs don’t have enough power, the fuel-air mixture burns irregularly instead of creating a perfectly timed series of ignitions.

Misfiring is what happens when fuel burns irregularly. You’ll experience a dip in power and a shudder-like feeling from the engine. Continued misfiring can also result in long-term engine damage as it increases wear and tear on the cylinders and pistons. We’ll examine your coils and replace any that have failed, and your engine performance will return to normal.

Check Engine Light

The check engine light illuminates if engine sensors detect any problem that affects engine performance. These sensors are connected to every important component, and they can detect even the slightest change in these components. A worn or damaged coil supplies less or irregular power, which affects the performance of its connected spark plug.

The sensors will identify this problem and instantly advise your computer. The computer logs this problem and activates the check engine light. We’ll connect your computer to our diagnostic system to find the cause of the trouble. Once the affected coils are replaced, the engine light will go out.

If you experience a problem with the coils, contact our service department at Ed Martin Honda in Indianapolis, IN.

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