Feb 3, 2023

The job of an ignition coil is to transform the battery’s power to the high voltage needed to fire the spark plugs, ignite the fuel, and start the engine. Ignition coils are an integral part of the ignition system, and if your Porsche is not running smoothly, the signs below will warn you your Taycan, Cayenne, or Macan has a faulty ignition coil.

8 Signs of a Faulty Ignition Coil

Your Car Guzzles Gas

Ignition coil problems could be why you must stop at the gas station more often than usual, even if you are not putting more miles on the clock. When a battery doesn’t send enough power to the spark plugs, your car compensates by burning more gas.

Your Car Feels Slow

It could be a bad ignition coil when you step on the gas pedal, and your car is slow to respond and feels lazy. The fuel-air mixture is not igniting correctly, causing your vehicle to lose power.

You Hear Spluttering, Coughing, and Banging Noises

If your car makes spluttering and coughing sounds, blame a bad ignition coil. The sounds are from a cylinder that’s not firing correctly or not at all during the ignition process. If you hear loud banging noises, it’s from exploding unused gas in the combustion cylinders.

Your Car Idles Roughly and Vibrates

A problem with the ignition coil will cause your car to idle roughly and vibrate. A malfunctioning coil can’t supply the voltage required to create consistent sparks, causing your car to jerk forward when you step on the accelerator.

Your Car Misfires and Backfires

Ignition coils help ignite the engine’s air-fuel mixture, and a problem can cause a misfire. When your car backfires, it means one of the cylinders isn’t firing correctly or not at all. This could damage the catalytic converter and other engine components. You may even see smoke pouring out of your tailpipe and smell gas.

Your Car Stalls

A bad ignition coil doesn’t deliver the necessary voltage to the spark plugs, making it difficult to start the engine. Your car will stall when you stop or die without warning.

You Struggle to Start Your Car

Most modern engines have one ignition coil per cylinder, while older cars use a single coil. If the coil fails, it will not deliver the correct voltage to the spark plugs. Your vehicle will crank but not start.

The Check Engine Light Is On

Hard starts, backfires, and misfiring will trigger the check engine light. Never ignore the check engine light on your dashboard and get repairs as soon as possible to avoid more damage that will lead to higher repair costs.  

If your ignition coil is faulty, call Porsche Chantilly now for repairs. Our qualified Porsche technicians will perform expert repairs to ensure your Porsche continues to run at its best.