How to Determine if the Igniter is Damaged?
2 Answers
First, remove the spark plug for inspection. Under normal circumstances, the spark plug gap should be between 0.5 and 0.7mm. Once the spark plug is confirmed to be in good condition, attach the high-voltage cap and ground the outer electrode of the spark plug to the engine block. Turn on the power switch and crank the engine to observe whether the spark plug produces a spark. If there is no spark or the spark is weak, it can be concluded that the ignition system indeed has a problem.
I've been driving for over thirty years and have encountered ignition coil failures several times. Determining if an ignition coil is faulty is quite simple: first, start the engine. If it's difficult to ignite or the engine shakes severely after starting, it might be an ignition coil issue. The ignition coil is responsible for supplying power to the spark plugs. If it's damaged, the spark plugs won't fire. You can test by removing a spark plug: connect it to the high-voltage wire and crank the engine. If no spark appears, the ignition coil is definitely faulty. Additionally, a sudden increase in fuel consumption could also be a sign, as poor ignition leads to incomplete combustion. Ignition coils in older car models are prone to overheating and aging. Regularly checking the battery and wiring can prevent failures. If you smell burning or the engine light comes on, don't delay—visit a repair shop as soon as possible to replace the faulty part and avoid bigger troubles.