What are the symptoms of a bad ignition coil?

[KylieRose]

Ignition coil failure symptoms include: 1. Noticeable body vibration at idle; 2. When observing the exhaust pipe outlet, there's obvious intermittent exhaust gas flow with severe pipe vibration, accompanied by clear popping sounds. As gasoline engines evolve towards higher RPM, higher compression ratios, greater power, lower fuel consumption, and reduced emissions, traditional ignition systems no longer meet operational requirements. The core components of an ignition system are the ignition coil and switching device. By enhancing the ignition coil's energy output, the spark plug can generate sufficient spark energy - this constitutes the fundamental requirement for modern engine-compatible ignition systems.

[VanArabella]

With extensive driving experience, I can tell when an ignition coil fails: the engine starts shaking noticeably, especially at idle. Acceleration becomes sluggish, and even flooring the gas pedal won't provide power—climbing hills feels like an old ox pulling a cart. Fuel consumption spikes dramatically, dropping from the usual 500 km per tank to barely 400 km before running empty. Emissions also go haywire, with black smoke puffing from the exhaust pipe. Sometimes, the car suddenly stalls in the middle of the road, which is downright dangerous. The check engine light might not always come on, but if something feels off, get it inspected immediately. Delaying repairs could lead to collateral damage to spark plugs or the catalytic converter. I recommend scanning with a diagnostic tool or heading straight to a professional workshop—safety first.

[VanElliott]

As someone who frequently tinkers with cars, common symptoms of ignition coil failure include difficulty starting the engine, which is more noticeable when the engine is cold. The engine vibrates excessively during operation, with increased shaking especially during acceleration. There's a noticeable weakening in power output, making the car feel sluggish. Fuel consumption increases by over 10%, and emissions exceed standards. Aging high-voltage coils can also lead to spark plug carbon buildup. The inspection method is simple: unplug the connector to listen for current sounds or use a multimeter to measure resistance. Ignoring the problem can easily lead to more significant failures, such as catalytic converter clogging, doubling repair costs. It's best to regularly maintain connectors, avoid moisture corrosion, extend lifespan, and save money.

[DakotaFitz]

I experienced this shortly after buying my car—the ignition coil failed, making the car drive like it was falling apart: starting the engine was extremely difficult, and the engine ran unevenly with noticeable shaking. Acceleration was sluggish, especially when the AC was on, making it even more strenuous. Fuel consumption spiked, costing me significantly more in gas. After taking it to the repair shop, they diagnosed an ignition system failure. Replacing the coil fixed the issue. Pay attention to abnormal signals during daily driving, such as vibrations or warning lights, and don’t delay. Simple self-checks, like listening for rough engine sounds, can help you take timely action to avoid bigger problems.