Where to Get Your BMW’s Ignition Coil Repaired in Santa Barbara
19 Jul, 24
BMW cars are well recognized as high-performance vehicles; however, there is no performance without the help of the car’s ignition system. The ignition coils in a BMW are a part of the ignition system that helps to deliver enough voltage to the spark plugs for combustion.
The ignition coils play an essential role so if any of the coils get faulty, you need an immediate ignition coil repair. Without an immediate response to a faulty ignition coil, the engine of the car suffers, leading to more damage. This article shows the signs of a faulty ignition coil and how to fix it.
Common Reasons for a BMW Ignition Coil Failure
Ignition coils act like a transformer, transforming the 12V in a battery to about 60,000Volts needed for a spark plug ignition so your BMW’s engine can run efficiently. While ignition coils generally last for about 80,000 to 100,000 miles, they may fail before then, due to several reasons such as;
1. Overheating
Frequent overheating episodes in your car’s engine are dangerous to several car parts, including the ignition coil. Extreme heat can impair the function of the ignition coil by preventing conduction of electricity through the coil. In essence, the coil cannot deliver the needed voltage to the spark plug.
2. Damaged Spark Plug
While a spark plug is known to depend on the ignition coil for its function, a fault in the spark plug can also lead to a failed ignition coil. If your BMW’s spark plug does not function properly, it would need a higher voltage from the ignition coil for an ignition.
More voltage from the ignition coil means more demand, this puts an additional strain on the ignition coil, leading to a voltage overload that can lead to a total ignition coil failure and also engine damage from overheating.
3. Wear and Tear
This is a common cause of failure in many car parts, including the ignition system. Over time, due to regular use, the parts of your BMW’s ignition coils may wear off, and this leads to a reduction in the efficiency of the coil to supply enough power for combustion. Also, the frequent vibrations from your car’s engine make it easier for the car materials and ignition coil to degrade, causing the coils to fail.
4. Faulty Valve Cover Gasket
The valve cover gasket in your car protects the engine by preventing oil from seeping out of the valve cover. However, if the gasket fails, it can no longer seal the valve cover and then oil starts to leak out. Oil leakage can contaminate the ignition coil and damage it.
How to Deal with a Faulty Ignition Coil in Your BMW
The best solution to any car problem is to take your car down to a professional for a proper diagnosis and an appropriate treatment that does not lead to more problems. Mechanics are trained on how to identify car problems and they also have suitable equipment to handle the situation.
However, it would help if you could recognize signs of faults in your car so you can find an immediate solution before more damage occurs. Hence, here are some signs that indicate that your BMW has a faulty ignition coil.
- Dashboard showing an engine warning sign/light.
- Difficulty in starting the engine or no start at all.
- Decreased car power or low acceleration.
- Engine misfiring or backfiring
- Decreased fuel efficiency.
- Sputtering or coughing sounds from the engine.
- Rough idling.
- Thick, black smoke from exhaust.
The Best Shop in Santa Barbara to Fix Your BMW’s Ignition Coil
Once you notice any of the signs discussed above in your BMW, it shows that your car’s ignition coil is faulty and it could be due to any reason, from wear and tear to extreme heat. Having your car checked and fixed by experts helps you avoid more complications.
Santa Barbara Autowerks in Santa Barbara, California, offers the best care and repair services for cars like your BMW. We specialize in European-made cars and we understand how luxurious these cars are, so we offer services that match.
With years of experience in offering top-notch maintenance and repair services, and equally qualified technicians, we can easily fix any problem that your BMW has.