Can the Engine Start if the Ignition Coil is Damaged?
3 Answers
After the ignition coil is damaged, the engine cannot start. Here are the specific reasons: 1. A damaged coil can cause cylinder misfire. In mild cases, it leads to car shaking, weak starting, and unstable idling. When a cylinder misfires, the gasoline-air mixture in that cylinder cannot be ignited and is expelled through the exhaust pipe, increasing fuel consumption and carbon deposits, thereby reducing the engine's lifespan. 2. Issues with the ignition coil may include damage to the plastic outer casing or breakage of the internal copper wires. Methods to extend the ignition coil's service life: 1. Pay attention to the condition of the spark plugs; using old spark plugs increases the workload of the ignition coil. 2. Monitor the car's water temperature; ignition coils are prone to burning out in cars with high water temperatures. Since there are no warning signs, continuing to drive could potentially lead to accidents.
Hey, last time one of the ignition coils in my old Touran went bad—it was the one for cylinder 4. Surprisingly, the car could still start, but it shook violently upon ignition, like it had asthma. When driving, acceleration was weak, and fuel consumption skyrocketed. These coils are responsible for converting the battery's low voltage into high voltage to spark the plugs. If all of them fail, the car won't start, but if just one fails in a four-cylinder engine, it might run on three cylinders (misfire). At the time, the check engine light came on, and the diagnostic code showed P0300 (random misfire). I immediately went to the repair shop and replaced the coil, which cost me a little over 300 yuan. If left unfixed, it could damage the oxygen sensor or even the catalytic converter, which would cost way more. After the repair, the engine ran much smoother. I recommend everyone regularly check their ignition system to keep the engine healthy.
I've encountered situations where ignition coils were damaged. Whether the engine can start or not depends on several factors: such as how many are damaged, or whether the engine type is a V6 or a four-cylinder. Generally speaking, if a single coil is damaged in a four-cylinder vehicle, the engine may still start but with severe shaking, the check engine light will come on, and there will be a noticeable drop in power. The ignition system is crucial for providing high voltage to the spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture. If damaged, the spark plugs won't fire, leading to a misfire. It's recommended to use an OBD scanner to read the fault codes, such as the P0351 code which specifically indicates an ignition coil circuit issue. During daily driving, pay attention to abnormal shaking or difficulty starting, then check the coil resistance or use a multimeter to test circuit continuity. Replacing the faulty coil early can prevent a chain reaction in the ignition system. Otherwise, prolonged driving may damage the catalytic converter, doubling the repair costs. For safety, it's best to have a professional technician handle similar issues rather than pushing through on the road.
