Does Your VW Have a Faulty Ignition Coil?

Ignition coils are remarkable little devices. While your car engine’s running, the ignition coils receive voltage from the battery and alternator. The coil then transforms this meager 12 or 13 voltage into a massive 25,000 volts, allowing the spark plugs to generate the sparks that keep the engine going. If you notice any of the following seven warning signs, you might need to visit your nearest VW dealer to have at least one faulty ignition coil repaired.

Does Your VW Have a Faulty Ignition Coil?

Misfiring Engine Cylinders

When an ignition coil falters, the spark plug can no longer properly ignite the fuel-air mixture inside the combustion chamber. As a result, that cylinder will start misfiring. 

You’re likely to notice misfiring as strange coughing and sputtering sounds instead of the usual purr of your engine. When you slow down at traffic lights, these symptoms will increase as the engine struggles to stay awake. It might also jolt and shudder noticeably. 

Sudden Stalling

If an ignition coil has really given up the ghost, then one of your cylinders will fail completely. This might cause your engine to suddenly stall. 

Trouble Starting the Engine

With a faulty coil, you might have trouble starting up again once you’ve stalled. You’re also likely to face problems starting first thing in the morning, especially in cold weather.

Dropping Engine Power

An engine with one bad ignition coil and cylinder has lost a chunk of its ability to generate power. As a result, your car will feel like it’s limping along. Like a chair that’s lost one leg, you can keep using it, but at your own peril. 

Poor Fuel Efficiency 

A failing ignition coil will cause the spark plug to stop sparking, but the fuel injectors don’t know this. Your car will continue injecting fuel as usual, but you’ll be traveling less far for each gallon of gas you guzzle.

Black Exhaust Smoke

One of the worst things about a failing ignition coil is that it can soon cause other problems to develop throughout your car. The misfiring cylinder will gather an excess of unburned fuel, which will eventually escape through the exhaust system. This causes further damage and you’ll soon see black smoke emerge from your tailpipe. 

Blinking Check Engine Light

Fortunately, modern Volkswagens have various sensors that can quickly detect engine issues stemming from a failing ignition coil. When one of your coils falters, you’re likely to see the check engine light come to life on your dashboard.

How Your Local VW Dealer Can Check Your Ignition Coils

A technician can remove the coil to visually inspect it for signs of cracking or heat damage. They can also test its conductivity with a multimeter. 

If the coil has only been fouled or mildly damaged, it may sometimes be cleaned or refurbished to last a while longer. But more often than not, faulty coils will need to be replaced. 

Have your ignition coils repaired or replaced today at Tom Bush Volkswagen. We’ve been proudly providing top-notch vehicle servicing and repair solutions to the region’s drivers since 1969. 

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