An ignition coil is an induction coil, which is present in the ignition system of the automobile and can transform the battery from 12 volts to thousands of volts, which is needed to spark the plug. Some of the coils will have an internal resistor to reduce the voltage and some of them will rely on the resistor wire or the external resistor to cut down the voltage from the cars. The wire that goes inside the ignition coil and the distributor and to each spark plug is known as spark plug wire. One must know how to replace ignition coil, since it can save valuable time in the future.
Principle of ignition coil
When the contact break closes, it will allow a current from the battery to build up inside the primary winding of the ignition coil. Once the build-up current is on full level, the contact breaker opens. There will be a capacitor connected to it, so the primary winding and the capacitor will form a turned circuit and the voltage in the secondary coil will increase.
These coils in the car mainly serve two spark plugs and the coil will generate two sparks per cycle in both the cylinders. The fuel, which reaches the end of its compression, will be ignited, whereas the spark in the companion that is nearing the exhaust will have no effect. It is very important to maintain the ignition coil because if there is any problem with the ignition coil, then the engine will stop functioning and the car will not start. It is best to get it replaced in time. Replacing ignition coil is very simple here are some simple steps on how to replace ignition coil.
Things Required:
- Electronic tester for the ignition module
- Service manual of your vehicle
- Various screwdrivers
- Needle nose pliers
- Wrenches
- Tray for screws
- Dry rags portable overhead lighting
- Insulated shoes and eye protection
Steps:
- The first thing for replacing the ignition coil will be to check if the ignition coil is the source of problem. You will have to connect the electronic tester on the ignition module and follow the directions mentioned in your service guide. The ignition module will be located in the engine housing; you can refer the service guide for the location of ignition module. If there is a low energy reading then it means that the coil does not transfer enough energy to start the car.
- Now, you will have to prepare to remove the old ignition. For this, you will first have to disconnect the battery cables from the engine and the battery. Next, you will have to loosen the screws, which are holding the electrical wiring of the ignition module. Keep all the screws on the tray so that they are together. Now, take out the outer housing from the module. Carefully pull out the ignition coil, which will look like a large cylinder along with a cap and there will be two electrical leads on the top.
- Check the old ignition coil to see if there is any cracked housing, broken or bent electrical leads, cracked or loose cap and damaged or missing wire connections. If there are any of these conditions, then it means that these reasons have caused the ignition coil to fail.
- Now, for replacing the ignition coil you will have to check the ignition module carefully. Check the whole exterior and the interior of the ignition module for any clues about what would have caused ignition coil failure. Check the broken, bent, cracked or twisted electrical connections and see if there is any damage to the porcelain insulation. If some of the wires are damaged, then you will have to cut the new wires and replace them. If the ignition module is damaged, then you will have to replace the entire ignition module and not just the ignition coil.
- Now replace the ignition coil. If the old ignition module is working fine, then just place the new ignition coil inside the module just like the old one was there. Reconnect all the wires to the leads, then return to the ignition module, and place it correctly. You will have to secure the ignition module in the place along with screws, bolts and nuts, which you have removed earlier to take it out. Make sure that all the wires have been connected properly and none of them is protruding from the housing of the ignition module.
- Now, you are done with replacing the ignition coil, so start reconnecting the battery to the ignition module. You will have to reattach all the battery cables to the block of the engine and the battery for supplying electrical power on the ignition module. Now, attempt to start the engine. The new ignition coil will transmit enough power to the vehicle to start up easily and effectively.
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