The ignition coil is a small but essential part of your car’s engine, generating the electrical power that allows each spark plug to ignite the fuel inside the cylinders. If your engine has lost power, started misfiring, or experienced any more of the following problems, a faulty coil might be to blame. Read on to learn when to head to your local Kia dealer to repair or replace a coil.
Your Engine Starts Sputtering and Shaking
Misfiring is often the first symptom of a malfunctioning coil. As the coil fails to deliver a consistent flow of voltage to the spark plug, the plug fails to ignite the fuel. The resulting misfiring makes the engine vibrate and sputter, especially when driving at high speeds or idling.
Your Car Struggles To Gain Speed
Acceleration will become difficult with at least one bad coil. You may find it difficult to reach higher speeds on the highway. More alarmingly, you might also struggle to overtake other vehicles or accelerate quickly when crossing a busy intersection.
Your Tailpipe Produces Smoke and Backfiring
As a bad coil causes misfiring, unspent fuel will be collecting inside the combustion chamber. This unburned fuel eventually leaks back toward the tailpipe, where it can ignite and cause all kinds of problems. When this occurs, you’re likely to hear backfiring and see smoke in the exhaust fumes.
Your Fuel Efficiency Has Plummeted
All these above problems lead to a far less efficient engine, meaning your gas mileage will drop sharply. You may be surprised at how rapidly the dashboard’s fuel gauge swings toward empty.
You Can’t Start Your Car in the Morning
Without a fully reliable supply of electricity, the engine may fail to start in the morning. Just one faulty coil is unlikely to prevent it from starting entirely, but at the least, you’ll need to turn the key or press the starter button several times before the engine turns over.
Your Check Engine Light Turns On
The advanced sensors throughout your Kia are designed to detect problems such as a bad coil. Therefore, the first indication of a malfunctioning coil could be the check engine light appearing on your dashboard. An experienced technician can then diagnose the coil issue and promptly repair it.
Your Kia Dealer Can Clean, Repair, or Replace a Bad Coil
Depending on the manner and severity of the fault, a failing coil can be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. Whatever the solution, a coil malfunction is rarely a complex issue to resolve and your car should be running smoothly again in short order.
Visit Bergstrom Kia of Oshkosh in Oshkosh, WI, today to have your engine repaired by courteous, experienced professionals. We offer first-rate vehicles, financing, maintenance, repairs, and customer care.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.