Can an Engine Coil Cause a Car Not to Turn Over?
Introduction
An engine coil is a vital component of a car’s ignition system. It is responsible for converting the low voltage from the battery into the high voltage needed to create a spark plug. Without a properly functioning coil, the engine will not be able to start.
Symptoms of a Bad Engine Coil
There are several symptoms that can indicate a bad engine coil. These include:
- Engine misfires or hesitates
- Engine stalls or dies
- Reduced engine power
- Poor fuel economy
- Check engine light is illuminated
How an Engine Coil Can Cause a Car Not to Turn Over
If an engine coil is completely faulty, it will not be able to produce any spark. This will prevent the engine from starting. In some cases, a coil may be partially faulty, which can cause the engine to turn over but not start. This is because the coil is not producing enough spark to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders.
Testing an Engine Coil
If you suspect that your engine coil may be faulty, you can test it using a multimeter. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
2. Remove the spark plug wires from the spark plugs.
3. Set the multimeter to the ohms setting.
4. Touch one probe of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the coil and the other probe to the negative terminal.
5. The multimeter should read between 0.5 and 2 ohms. If the reading is significantly higher or lower than this, the coil is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Replacing an Engine Coil
Replacing an engine coil is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
2. Remove the spark plug wires from the spark plugs.
3. Unbolt the coil from the engine.
4. Connect the new coil to the engine and tighten the bolts.
5. Connect the spark plug wires to the spark plugs.
6. Reconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
Conclusion
An engine coil is a vital component of a car’s ignition system. If the coil is faulty, it can cause the engine to misfire, hesitate, stall, or die. In some cases, a faulty coil can also prevent the engine from starting. If you suspect that your engine coil may be faulty, you can test it using a multimeter. If the coil is faulty, it will need to be replaced.
