Why Do Car Ignition Coils Fail?

[MargaretRose]

Car ignition coils fail due to insulation layer aging and breakdown or damage to the switching transistor. A large spark plug gap increases the load on the primary coil, leading to excessive heat and faster insulation aging. Conversely, a small spark plug gap results in higher discharge current in the secondary coil, also causing excessive heat and rapid insulation aging. Assembled ignition coils may have poor insulation material durability, high internal resistance leading to excessive heat, and lower-quality transistors, resulting in a shorter lifespan. The core components of the ignition system are the ignition coil and the switching device. Increasing the energy of the ignition coil enables the spark plug to generate sparks with sufficient energy, which is a fundamental requirement for the ignition system to adapt to modern engine operations. Typically, an ignition coil contains two sets of windings: the primary coil and the secondary coil.