Can you drive with a bad ignition coil?

If you’re wondering, “can I still drive with a bad ignition coil?”, the short answer is: you can, but you really shouldn’t. Driving with a bad ignition coil might not seem like a big deal at first, but it can lead to bigger (and more expensive) problems pretty quickly.

Today we’ll go over what an ignition coil does, what happens if it goes bad, and why it’s always better to fix it sooner rather than later.

What does an ignition coil do?

An engine coil is a pretty important part of your car’s engine. It takes the battery’s power and turns it into a much stronger electrical spark. This spark is what lights the air and fuel mixture in your engine, making your car run.
No ignition coil = no spark = no engine running properly.

Most cars today have one engine coil per cylinder, while older cars sometimes use one coil for the whole engine. Whether you have one coil or several, if even one engine coil fails, you’re going to notice.

Signs your ignition coil is going bad

Here’s what you might notice if your ignition coil is on its way out:

• Your car feels rough when idling
• Car struggles to start or cranks longer
• Engine misfires (feels like a stutter when you drive)
• Your fuel economy gets worse
• You notice a loss of power when you speed up
• Check engine light comes on
• You might also notice a ticking or knocking noise from your engine as the coil deteriorates and cylinders start misfiring

If you see one or more of these signs, it could be a bad engine coil. Of course, these problems can be caused by other things too, but the ignition coil is a common problem.

Can you drive with a bad ignition coil?

Technically, yes, you can drive for a little while with a faulty engine coil. But it’s not a good idea. Here’s why:

• More engine damage:
  When the ignition coil isn’t working properly, the fuel in your engine may not burn the right way. Unburned fuel can cause damage to your catalytic converter, and that’s a very expensive fix.
• Poor fuel economy:
  Your car will burn more petrol because it’s not running efficiently. That means you’ll end up spending more money at the bowser.
• Rough driving:
  The car might jerk, stall, or feel like it’s struggling. This can be dangerous if you’re driving in traffic or on highways.
• More parts wearing out:
  If you leave a bad engine coil for too long, it puts extra strain on your spark plugs, your engine control unit (ECU), and other parts.

In short, the longer you drive with a bad ignition coil, the worse (and more costly) it gets.

What causes an engine coil to fail?

Ignition coils don’t last forever. They can fail for a few different reasons:

• Age and wear:
  Just like spark plugs, engine coils wear out over time.
• Heat:
  Engines get really hot. Over time, this heat can break down the ignition coil.
• Vibration:
  If your car vibrates a lot, it can cause tiny cracks in the ignition coil, making it fail.
• Oil or water leaks:
  If moisture gets into the ignition coil area, it can cause it to short out.
• Bad spark plugs:
  Old or damaged spark plugs make the engine coil work harder, which can wear it out faster.

Regular car servicing can help spot these issues early before the ignition coil gives up completely.

A failing ignition coil is one of the common causes of an engine misfire. If you’re experiencing one, the coil should be one of the first things checked.

How to know if it’s really the ignition coil

Sometimes you’ll get a check engine light and the mechanic will scan your car and find a code like “P0351” or something similar. That usually points to a coil problem.

Other times, mechanics will do a simple test where they swap coils between cylinders to see if the misfire moves. If it does, bingo, the ignition coil is bad.

If you’re not sure, the best move is to bring your car to us at Coastwide Service Centre. Our mechanics will diagnose it properly and give you a free quote before doing any repairs.

What happens if you just replace the spark plugs?

Sometimes people think changing spark plugs will fix the problem. If the spark plugs are old, it can help, but if the engine coil is faulty, spark plugs won’t fix it.

In fact, a bad engine coil can quickly wear out your new spark plugs too! So it’s really important to fix the real cause.

How much does it cost to replace an ignition coil?

The cost to replace an ignition coil depends on:

• How many ignition coils you have
• The make and model of your car
• Whether you use aftermarket or genuine parts

For a lot of cars, a single engine coil might cost between $100 and $250 (parts and labour). Some luxury or European cars can be more expensive.
We always recommend replacing all coils at once if a few are going bad, it can save money in the long run.

At Coastwide Service Centre, we’ll check your ignition coils and give you a free quote. We can also help you decide if it’s better to replace just one or the whole set.

Can you change an ignition coil yourself?

If you’re a confident DIYer and your car has easy access to the engine coils, you might be able to replace it yourself.
But on some cars, engine coils are buried deep under covers, intake manifolds, or other parts.

If you don’t have the right tools or experience, it’s safer (and usually faster) to get a mechanic to do it.

Plus, if you come to us at Coastwide Service Centre, we can make sure:

• The correct engine coil is used
• It’s installed properly
• Any extra problems (like leaking valve covers) are spotted early

Driving with a bad ignition coil might seem harmless at first, but it can cause serious damage to your car if ignored. You’ll also spend more money on fuel, and your car won’t be as safe to drive.

If you think your ignition coil might be on the way out, don’t wait. Come and see the team at Coastwide Service Centre on the Gold Coast. We’ll check your coils, give you a free quote, and get you back on the road fast and safely.