What are the common faults in a car's ignition system?
2 Answers
The common faults in the ignition system are insufficient ignition energy or complete failure to ignite. Below is more information about the ignition system: 1. The car's ignition system mainly consists of spark plugs and ignition coils. Spark plugs are components that require regular replacement. If spark plugs are used for a long time without replacement, the electrode gap will increase, which can affect the spark plug's ignition. Additionally, prolonged use without replacement can lead to carbon buildup on the spark plug electrodes, which also affects ignition. 2. Although the ignition coil is not a wear-prone part, faults can occur due to prolonged operation in high-temperature environments. The ignition coil converts 12V voltage into tens of thousands of volts, which is necessary for the spark plug to have sufficient ignition energy. If the ignition coil fails, it may cause a misfire, where one of the engine's cylinders stops working. This can affect the engine's power output and smooth operation.
Last time I encountered a similar situation while driving in my hometown, I summarized several common faults: Spark plug aging is the most common, where electrode wear or carbon buildup can lead to insufficient ignition energy; Ignition coil failure is quite common, especially in older cars, manifesting as a cylinder not firing; High-voltage wire leakage or breakage prevents the spark from being conducted; Distributor faults are more common in older models, such as capacitor breakdown or distributor rotor burn-out; Then there's insufficient battery voltage causing weak starts, often accompanied by dim dashboard lights. Lastly, consider a faulty crankshaft position sensor—if it fails, it directly prevents the detection of ignition signals. When facing starting difficulties, don't force it; using professional equipment to read fault codes is the easiest solution first.
