What You Need to Know About Ignition Coil Replacement Cost

In this blog post, we’ll break down ignition coil replacement cost and provide advice from experienced mechanics on when it’s necessary to replace these components. With this information in mind, you’ll have a better understanding of what Ignition Coil Replacement Cost could look like for your particular make and model of vehicle.

Answer

Ignition Coil Replacement Cost can vary, depending on the make and model of your car. As a buyer, it is important to double-check this cost beforehand – running between $200 and $300, plus additional labor costs which can range from $70-$100. It is always recommended to have this information on hand before making repairs or maintenance decisions so that you are budgeting appropriately in the long run.

It is worth taking the time to look at the table below before proceeding with any future repairs.

Car Type	Average Cost of Ignition Coil Replacement
Sedan	$200 – $300
Coupe	$200 – $350
SUV	$200 – $400
Truck	$200 – $400
Luxury Car	$300 – $500
Sports Car	$300 – $600
Electric Vehicle	$500 – $1000
Hybrid Vehicle	$400 – $800

Average Cost To Replace Four Ignition Coils

Replacing the ignition coils on my car is going to cost me, but at least I know what to expect. On average, replacing all four coils with labor costs around $350. This can be higher for larger engines, so if I have a V6 or V8 cylinder engine, I’ll need many more coils and therefore my total price will be increased.

 

How to Lower Ignition Coil Replacement Costs

There are several steps you can take to save money when replacing ignition coils. The best way to minimize your repair costs is by doing the replacement yourself. With the right tools and a bit of knowledge, it’s possible to replace your own ignition coils at home. Additionally, if you opt for aftermarket parts instead of genuine OEM, you can usually save some money as well.

 

What is an Ignition Coil?

An ignition coil is an essential part of any combustion engine, as it increases the battery’s small charge to the adequate levels needed to create a spark for igniting the air-fuel mixture within a chamber. It does this by transforming 12 volts of electrical energy into 25,000 to 30,000 volts of high-voltage pulse—a must for efficient combustion! If the voltage isn’t sufficient enough to ignite the mixture, then not only won’t it burn completely or at all, but you can end up damaging your engine components.

Types of Ignition Coils

All of the available types of ignition coils today offer reliable and efficient technology for delivering a spark to your engine cylinders. While cars from early models relied on more clunky parts like points or a distributor-less coil, today’s car engines use a much simpler setup, with each cylinder having its own dedicated coil-on-plug ignition coil.

This is an incredibly convenient, dependable way to ensure each cylinder is receiving a spark, so if you’re looking for an upgraded part to give your engine a boost or replace some old components, you can trust that opting for one of the current options will provide successful and reliable performance.

 

How Does the Ignition Coil Work?

Whether you’re a novice car enthusiast or a seasoned engine technician, it’s important to understand how an ignition coil works.

Afterall, it creates the spark that starts up an engine and keeps it running! In its most basic form, an ignition coil uses electromagnetism to multiply incoming electricity into a much more powerful current when it leaves.

It’s composed of a wire ‘coil’ that creates a magnetic field when power is applied to the system. The complexity comes into play when the current is switched off by the engine control module at precisely timed intervals for each cylinder in order to maximize efficiency.

 

How To Tell When an Ignition Is Bad

When an ignition coil is damaged, it will produce several different symptoms that can be observed while driving. These include:

1. Check Engine Light

One of the most important signs that you have a bad ignition is the check engine light. If this light begins to illuminate, then it is likely there is an issue with the coil in one of your cylinders. Along with this light, you will likely experience constant misfires within the cylinder with the faulty coil as well. Take note when these symptoms begin to surface, and it may save time and energy in fixing the issue!

2. Your emissions will be higher

When it comes to a bad ignition, one of the biggest giveaway clues is an increase in emissions. Your car may be running alright right now, but if your emissions are consistently higher than normal, particularly a raw fuel smell or black smoke from the tailpipe, it’s time to dig deeper and investigate whether your ignition is at fault.

3. Your fuel efficiency will drop

If your vehicle starts having trouble when starting up, it may be a sign of a bad ignition and time to get it checked out. In addition to this classic symptom, you should also keep an eye on your fuel efficiency. Poor performance from the bad cylinder will put stress on the other cylinders and cause them to go through fuel more quickly than normal.

4. Your engine might not start

When you put your car key in the ignition, but it won’t start, it might be a sign that your ignition is bad. If you have an older car, the chances of having a bad ignition increases significantly; cars with points systems, electronic coils and distributor-less coils can all fail. In cases where more than one coil is bad, the vehicle will not even attempt to start.

5. You might have an issue with acceleration

If you press the gas pedal, but your car has a hard time accelerating, it could be because of a bad ignition coil. When one cylinder isn’t working as efficiently as the others due to a faulty part, it will cause the engine to struggle. If you find yourself having trouble keeping up while on the highway or you notice that your engine is stuttering when you try and accelerate quickly, then it could be a sign of an ignition coil in need of repair.

6. Rough Idle

One of the tell-tale signs of a bad ignition coil is a rough idle. This means that when the car comes to a stop, it might shake or vibrate more than usual due to misfires in one or more cylinders. If you notice this symptom with any other strange behavior from your engine, then it could be time to get it checked out.

4 Common cause of Ignition Coil Failure

There are several reasons why ignition coils could become damaged and malfunction. The most common causes include:

1. Damaged or worn spark plugs

Worn spark plugs can cause serious damage to your ignition coils. Keeping your spark plug in working order is an easy way to greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a coil failure. When spark plugs are worn, their gap increases and the voltage needed to bridge that gap becomes excessive for coils, resulting in overheating and eventually failure.

2. Vibrations

Vibrations can cause damage to the ignition coil windings or insulation over time, leading to shorts or breaks in the secondary windings. This is why it’s important when buying a new ignition coil that you purchase it from a certified supplier who offers high-quality products and warranties.

3. Overheating

If your ignition coil gets too hot due to factors such as excessive current or under-voltage, it’s ability to conduct electricity will be hindered. So, if your car isn’t as responsive as it used to be and you suspect an issue with the coil, make sure to check the temperature and take measures straight away!

4. Wear and tear

Wear and tear is one of the most common reasons for an ignition coil failing, which often results from a reduced level of insulation between the coil windings. This can lead to the coil overheating and not performing as expected.

 

What To Do After Changing an Ignition Coil

After replacing the ignition coil, it’s important to take the proper steps to help avoid any potential future problems.

Cleaning the area around the coils, checking for loose wires or parts, and ensuring all the coils are properly seated are all key components in successfully replacing your car’s ignition coil. Additionally, testing your ignition system is an important part of making sure everything was done correctly.

Once these steps have been taken and double-checked, start up the engine and let it idle for a few minutes to allow the new coils to break in and seat properly. When your vehicle is running smoothly again, you can go for a test drive.

 

Where To Replace Ignition Coil

Deciding whether or not to replace your car’s ignition coil can be stressful. But don’t worry, you have two options! You can do it yourself by following the proper procedure from your car’s owner’s manual and getting the required materials like a good multimeter and a tool kit.

Or, if you aren’t comfortable with that choice, it may be best for you to take your car to a mechanic instead. They can properly diagnose the problem and replace your ignition coils quickly so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.

 

FAQs about Ignition Coil Replacement Cost

Are Ignition Coils Interchangeable?

Although many ignition coils are interchangeable, some differ slightly in terms of specifications and connections. To ensure that you can get the best performance out of your vehicle, always check with your mechanic or car’s manufacturer before buying a new ignition coil.

Is it worth replacing ignition coil?

Yes, replacing the ignition coil can be worth it if you are experiencing issues with your car’s engine performance. Ignition coils are responsible for bringing spark to your car’s engine and a faulty one can lead to poor fuel economy and other problems. So, investing in a new ignition coil is definitely worth it!

Can you drive with a broken ignition coil?

No, it is not recommended to drive with a broken ignition coil. Doing so can cause the car’s engine to stall or misfire and may result in further damage.

Can you replace just 1 ignition coil?

If a single ignition coil is failing, it can be replaced without having to replace the other coils; however, better results are likely if all the spark plugs and coils are replaced together. That will save you time by not having to remove the poor performing coil twice, and you can also rest assured knowing that all components are fresh and working optimally!

How do I check if my ignition coil is good?

If you think your ignition coil isn’t working quite the way it should, there are a few steps you can take to make sure. Removing the coil and plugging it back in and using an OEM-certified ignition spark tester like 25069 is one good way to ensure that your coil is functioning properly. Multimeters can also be used to test resistance on a coil, which is another reliable approach for making certain that your coil isn’t damaged or faulty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ignition Coil replacement cost is one of the biggest factors that need to be taken into account when considering overall car maintenance. While it may seem like a costly expense, replacing your ignition coil can save you money in the long run by protecting your engine and ensuring optimal performance of your vehicle.

We encourage people to stay on top of their car maintenance and to routinely check their ignition coils (or any other important auto parts) to prevent pesky (and expensive!) issues from arising in the future.

We hope that this article has been helpful in informing you about ignition coil replacement cost and the reasons why it is important.