How Does it Work?
- Ignites the fuel with a timed spark
- Ignition coils may work as a single independent component igniting all engine cylinders, as individual coils assigned one-per-cylinder or in packs serving multiple cylinders
- An ignition coil takes nominal voltage from the battery (typically 12V) and steps it up to fire the spark plugs to as high as 60,000V
How Is It Made?
- Ignition coils can be either oil-filled or solid state (epoxy filled)
- Molded housing with electrical connections
- Configuration is the same whether it is a single coil configuration or one coil per cylinder
Why Does It Fail?
- Over time, heat breaks down the dielectric strength (resistance to shorting and grounding) of the part
What are Symptoms of Failure?
- Misfiring or dead cylinder
- Engine not running
- No-spark condition
What Are the Consequences of Failure?
- Ignition coils can fail completely or intermittently
- A total coil failure will result in a no-spark condition
- Engine won’t run