Why Does the Ignition Coil Fail?
2 Answers
The reasons for ignition coil failure: 1. Excessive generator output, causing overload on the ignition coil; 2. Excessive spark plug gap; 3. Poor fuel quality; 4. Incorrect cylinder compression ratio; 5. Program malfunction in the ECU; 6. Unstable power supply voltage; 7. Abnormal resistance in high-voltage wires; 8. Short circuit in the secondary circuit; 9. Excessive primary current from the ignition controller leading to overheating of the ignition coil; 10. High temperature effects causing issues with high-voltage waves and poor operation; 11. Malfunctioning ignition unit. 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 meet the operational demands of modern engines.
I've been driving for over a decade and have seen many cases of failed ignition coils. The most common cause is heat damage - engine compartments run hot, especially during summer traffic jams when cooling is poor, causing the coil's insulation materials to become brittle over time. For high-mileage vehicles, coils have a natural lifespan; after three to five years, internal windings may loosen or insulating varnish may peel off, leading to short circuits. Many people overlook this detail: if spark plugs aren't replaced when their gap becomes too wide, the ignition system requires higher voltage, forcing the coil to work harder and accelerating its aging. Another often-neglected issue is water damage - if not inspected promptly after driving through water, moisture can accumulate and cause rust in the coil connectors. During one maintenance session, I encountered this problem myself; upon disassembly, I found the metal terminals had corroded and turned green.
