What Happens When Your BMW Ignition Coil Goes Bad

Posted on July 31, 2024 by Carson Wileman

So, you own a BMW. Its advanced features, stylish appearance, and outstanding personality differentiate it from other luxury cars. Despite being a powerful machine, its various auto parts may wear out over time and hinder the overall running efficiency. But when it comes to the strange engine behavior, it’s none other than a failing ignition coil. The main job of the ignition coil is to enhance the battery voltage to trigger the spark plugs. Next, the spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine cylinders, starting the engine smoothly. But do you know the consequences of a malfunctioning ignition coil? Let’s discover it together.

Indications of your faulty BMW ignition coil

1. Trouble starting: If the ignition coil fails, it won’t offer enough voltage to the battery for ignition. So, the engine only cranks without starting, making it harder to start the engine.
2. Misfiring engine: A malfunctioning ignition coil can misfire the engine because the spark plugs don’t get enough spark to ignite the fuels, causing abnormal shudders in the engine while ignition.
3. Irregular idling: If the engine idles roughly or struggles to run, the bad ignition coil is the culprit.
4. Power drop: You may notice a sudden fall in the engine performance, and your vehicle fights to accelerate, especially while riding the slopes.
5. Reduced fuel economy: A poor ignition coil burns inadequate fuel, which can ultimately serve more fuel consumption and lesser mileage.
6. Check engine light: The check engine light glows on the dashboard when something is wrong with the engine. As a faulty ignition coil hampers the overall engine performance, sometimes the check engine light may shine to notify you about the same.
7. Dysfunctional engine: In extreme cases, the engine may stop while driving. This can be very hazardous in heavy traffic areas, as the engine may not start at all.

Why does your BMW ignition coil fail?

• Overheating: The engine releasing excessive heat can wear and tear the ignition coil outer as well as inner parts.
• Electrical troubles: A problematic electrical system with damaged wires, loose connections, or a weak battery can pressurize the ignition coil and make it defective.
• Rusting: Coming across road salt or moisture can rust or damage the ignition coil and degrade its working efficiency.
• Oil or coolant discharge: The ignition coil may rupture If comes in contact with the leaking engine oil or coolant.
• Old ignition coil: Eventually, the ignition coil may develop defects due to vibrations and overheating, just like other engine components. However, timely inspection and routine maintenance can detect the exact issue at an early stage, saving you from heavy expenditures.

Troubleshooting and restoring your defective BMW ignition coil

If you ever find any of the above warning signs in your BMW while driving, reach a safe place to park your vehicle and follow the below steps to diagnose and replace the ignition coil immediately.

• Visual check: Search for any signs of crack, wear, rust, or leaks around the ignition coil.
• Detect error codes: Use an OBD-II scanner to reach the diagnostic error codes, which may indicate the specific ignition coil troubles, if any.
• Examine the ignition coil: Measure the resistance of the ignition coil with the help of a multimeter. Match the readings against the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Replacement: Get a new, high-quality ignition coil appropriate for your BMW model and exchange it with the cracked coil. Use the required tools to install the new coil correctly and secure all the connections. But if you do not know the complete replacement procedure, you must skip this for a qualified professional.

Trust us for taking care of your defective BMW ignition coil

At Mint Automotive in Bellingham, WA, our BMW experts especially mastered handling complex engine issues. They can easily detect the exact ignition coil issues and fix the failing ignition coil quickly by using their cutting-edge tools and technical skills. Whether it is the engine misfire or the engine stalling, our professionals are capable enough to handle every trouble effectively with proper diagnostics and remedy. But ignoring the poor ignition coil can not only damage various engine components but also affect the overall vehicle performance, which can spoil your trip and damage other nearby parts down the road. So, why further delay? Call us at 360-733-2721 or visit our website to book an appointment with us to rectify the bad ignition coil, protecting your beloved BMW.