What Is an Auto Ignition Coil?

An ignition coil is a component that works with your engine to produce an electrical spark that ignites the fuel and air mixture in your combustion chamber. This is an important part of the operation of your engine, as it helps to provide your vehicle with the proper amount of energy for a smooth and efficient ride.

Your car probably has at least one ignition coil on each cylinder. This is a common practice on gasoline-powered engines and can be found on most modern cars, especially those that have an electronic ignition system.

A vehicle ignition coil is an electromagnet that uses a'step-up' transformer principle to produce the high voltages required for an ignition spark in your engine's spark plug. These coils work by using the principles of electromagnetism that were first observed by English physicist Michael Faraday in 1831.

The coil produces a very high voltage by wrapping several meters of copper wires around a central iron core. It does this by converting the electric current from the vehicle battery into the high voltages needed to power a spark plug.

It does this by making use of a principle called 'Faraday's law of induction' which states that when an electric current flows through an electrical conductor, a magnetic field or magnetic flux is created. The strength of this magnetic field and the speed at which it changes create an induced voltage.

This induced voltage is then transferred to the secondary winding of the ignition coil where it is transformed into a very high voltage. This is then emitted as a current pulse to the spark plug in order to generate a spark.

A faulty ignition coil can cause an array of symptoms to arise, which may include misfires, poor starting, a lack of performance and poor gas mileage. This is something to watch for because it can indicate that your ignition coil is in need of replacement.

If you suspect a faulty coil, it is best to make an appointment with a local automotive service center to have the problem diagnosed and fixed. This can help to expedite the process of returning your vehicle to normal operation and avoid costly repairs down the road.

Your car's engine computer management should also be able to detect when an ignition coil is not functioning correctly, which means it will likely generate a fault code and turn on the check engine light. It's a good idea to read through these codes to identify the problem.

Troubleshooting Ignition Coil

The ignition coil works to transform the low voltage from your vehicle's 12 volt battery into the higher voltage needed to produce a spark at your spark plug. This can be accomplished by wrapping several meters of tightly wound copper wiring around a central iron core. This is done by a technique known as 'Faraday's law of magnetic induction' which was first observed by Michael Faraday in 1831.

It is important to replace your coils as soon as they are defective because prolonged exposure to a faulty coil can lead to irreversible damage to your vehicle's catalytic converter. This is because unburned fuel is dosed downstream through the ignition system, allowing a catalyst to heat up and deteriorate over time.