Volkswagen is known as one of the most reliable vehicle brands in the world today. This is why the last thing that you’d expect as a Volkswagen owner is that your car would develop ignition coil issues.

malfunctioning ignition coil will affect your driving experience and cause a number of issues in your car. There are different reasons why ignition coils in Volkswagen malfunction, and when this happens, your car will exhibit some symptoms that you’ll need a professional mechanic to fix. Let’s take a closer look at this problem.

The Ignition Coil

As the name suggests, an ignition coil is the car component that enables the ignition of fuel in the combustion chamber in the engine. The resulting energy is what propels the car from one point to the next.

For the fuel to ignite, electrical current is transferred through the ignition coils to the spark plugs, which ignite the fuel. The ignition coil in your Volkswagen transmits electric current from the battery into the spark plugs. When they malfunction, it interferes with the process through which fuel burns in the engine.

Common causes of ignition coil failure

There are a few reasons why the ignition coils in your Volkswagen can malfunction. Poor battery output is one of the main reasons for this problem. This occurs because the current coming from the battery is too low. It will cause a strain on the ignition coils as they try to convert enough electricity to a higher voltage to trigger sparks for fuel combustion. This undue strain will wear out the ignition coil in your Volkswagen faster, causing it to malfunction.

Overheating in the engine compartment is yet another reason why the ignition coil in your car can become faulty. The engine produces a lot of heat as it runs, and over time, the ignition coil will naturally become brittle and malfunction. The heat can also cause the ignition coil to short circuit. As result, little to no power will be transferred to the spark plugs.

Moisture is yet another suspect when it comes to ignition coil faults in Volkswagen. This moisture occurs when oil leaks find their way into the ignition coils thereby messing causing corrosion. In addition, excessive vibrations from rough driving can also cause the ignition coil to malfunction.

Symptoms of ignition coil malfunction

Any time the ignition coil in your Volkswagen develops a fault, your car will show some symptoms pointing to the problem. Below are some of the most recognizable signs:

●      Engine misfiring: Because there is little to no supply of electrical current to the spark plugs, you may notice that the engine in your Volkswagen will start to misfire. This will present in what is described as a hesitant cough in your engine when you start your car.

●      Rough idling: You’ll also notice that your car’s engine will run rough when idling. For example, if you make a stop for traffic lights, you may notice vibrations in your car. This rough handling will also be felt when you try to accelerate. This happens due to the ignition coil struggling to deliver the needed current to accelerate.

●      Stalled engine: In some cases, your Volkswagen may stall completely, forcing you to have to restart the car. This is as a result of the inconsistent electric current going from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. A stalled engine can be a huge inconvenience, especially if you are driving when it occurs. Pull off to the side of the road and turn on your hazards before you call for a tow.

●      Backfiring: This occurs when your car releases unused fuel through the exhaust system. This unused fuel poses the risk of damaging your car’s exhaust system. If not repaired, it can cause irreparable damage. Visit an experienced mechanic to investigate any black soot coming from your exhaust pipe.

●      Check engine light: Because of the inconsistency in electrical current, ensuring proper fuel combustion, the check engine light on your car’s dashboard may illuminate. Since this can occur for a number of reasons, it’s important for an auto mechanic to run a diagnostic check.

 

 

Bavarian Workshop for Your Volkswagen

If your Volkswagen is suffering from ignition coil malfunction, Bavarian Workshop is the perfect auto shop for you. We proudly service the areas of AgouraCalabasasWoodland Hills, and West Hills, CA. Our team of highly qualified mechanics will help you restore your smooth driving experience. Call us today and we’ll take it from there.

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