When you take your car in for maintenance, the most likely thing the mechanic will do is replace an ignition coil. Why? Well, coils can fail and cause a variety of issues with your car, from poor acceleration to stalled engines. So why would you want to boost another car’s ignition coil? Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons. Some people might think that boosting the coil will improve performance. But in reality, it could have negative consequences. If you’re considering boosting your own car’s ignition coil, be sure to consult with a qualified mechanic first. Otherwise, you could end up causing more damage than good.
What is a bad ignition coil?
When boosting a car, extra power is put through the engine. This can cause damage to the ignition coils, which are responsible for initiating the spark that starts the engine. If these coils are damaged, they may not produce enough sparks to start the engine. In extreme cases, this can result in a bad coil that won’t create any sparks at all, preventing your car from starting.
How boosting another car can cause a bad ignition coil
There is a theory circulating among car enthusiasts that boosting another car’s motor can cause a bad ignition coil. The rumor is based on the assumption that when two cars run at similar engine speeds, the magnets in their coils may eventually interact and create sparks. This could potentially cause damage to the coil, which would in turn make starting and running the car difficult or even impossible. While there’s no concrete evidence to support this claim, it’s still something to be aware of if you’re considering swapping parts with a friend or acquaintance. If something seems suspicious, err on the side of caution and don’t do anything until you’ve consulted with an expert.
How to test if your ignition coil is bad
If you’re thinking about boosting another car, be sure to test the ignition coil first. A bad coil can cause poor starting and even total engine failure. Here’s how to test it:
1) Park your car next to the other vehicle and turn both off.
2) Turn both cars’ key ignitions to the “on” position (the green light on KEYS).
3) With a voltmeter, measure the voltage between each coil’s black and white wires. The higher the reading, the worse the coil is.
4) If you have a code scanner, scan both codes and see if they match. If they do, you know that the coil is bad and needs to be replaced. If they don’t match, then your car probably just needs a new key battery
What to do if your ignition coil is bad
If you are experiencing a bad spark, or no spark at all, it is probably time to replace your ignition coil. Most coils can be replaced for around $30-40 and the entire job takes about an hour. To replace your ignition coil, do the following:
1) Locate the fuse panel in your car. It will usually be on the firewall behind the engine. If not, check under the hood or inside the car near the battery.
2) Remove the covers that protect the fuses. On some models, there may be several screws hidden underneath these covers. Be sure to note where they went once they’re removed because you’ll need them back later!
3) Find and remove your ignition coil(s). You’ll likely find one on each side of your engine near where plugs go into it. Be sure to label each one so you can put them back in correctly (e.g., “Left”, “Right”).
4) Unplug both ends of your old coil wire from the connector on your new coil (if equipped). Make sure that you have a good ground connection before doing this – you should feel a little resistance when you touch two metal surfaces together with just enough voltage
Conclusion
As car enthusiasts, we love tinkering with our vehicles and fiddling with the various components that make them run. However, one should always exercise caution when boosting another car’s engine. This is because there is a chance that the boost may cause damage to the ignition coil, which in turn could lead to a bad spark and even a fire in your vehicle. Always consult with an expert before attempting any kind of engine modification, and be sure to keep all safety procedures in mind while working on your car.