It’s the part you rarely notice unless it gives you problems: the coil pack. This vital component of your vehicle’s ignition system is a must-know subject, which is why we put together this blog that dives deep and answers all the questions you might have about what a coil pack is, what it does in the engine, and how to make sure you’re choosing the right one – and taking care of it – for your car’s needs. Read on and find out how to keep your engine firing on all its cylinders.
Table of Contents:
– What is a coil pack?
– What does a coil pack do?
– How to choose a coil pack
– How long do coil packs last?
– How to replace a coil pack
– How much are coil packs?
What is a coil pack?
A coil pack is a part of a modern ignition system in an automobile that replaced the older distributor ignition system. Coil packs have multiple coils where spark plugs are electronically fired to time the spark plugs. It is one of the crucial parts of an internal-combustion engine that converts the low battery-powered voltage to the thousands of volts of electricity to ignite the fuel-air mixture in a cylinder of an engine.
What does a coil pack do?
One of main purposes of a coil pack is to ignite the engine, by providing a high-voltage electrical pulse to create the spark in a spark plug. The voltage pulse is routed to the correct spark plug at the exact correct time for maximum engine performance. The efficiency and accuracy of a coil pack can have a significant effect on fuel economy, power, and the long-term health of an engine.
How to choose a coil pack
The choice of coil pack depends on several factors. For the start, it’s important that the one you will pick is suitable for your exact make and model. Secondly, quality is important – if you’d like your car to start and work properly, you need to choose a high-quality coil pack that will last a long time. Last but not least, you might also consider the technology behind the part – some coil packs might be better for a certain type of performance or just for a long drive through hills.
How long do coil packs last?
It is important to note that a coil pack’s life expectancy could vary due to the vehicle, lifestyle, and use. Normally, a coil pack should endure from 60,000 to 100,000 miles. However, environmental factors, the quality of the coil pack, and how the vehicle is used can extend or reduce this life. By maintaining and checking the coil pack regularly, your engine will run smoothly for as long as possible.
How to replace a coil pack
A coil pack is often on a DIY level, and things like removing a spark plug are very easy. Remove the battery (if that doesn’t get you going), the engine cover (if you have one), then the electrical connector from the coil pack. Unscrew (maybe more than one) the mounting screw, remove the old one and install the new in reverse order. Make sure all the connections are there, all the parts have a home, and the new coil pack works with your car.
How much are coil packs?
Coil packs also cost more or less depending on what car you have and what type of coil pack you buy. The price of a regular coil pack in 2016 can range from around $20 per coil pack for foreign cars to over $300 for high-end domestic and luxury vehicles. Low-end coil packs are tempting because they’re so much cheaper than a high-end unit, but if your car is going to overheat anyway, why not just buy a coil pack that won’t let you down? Again, you can save money in the long run by buying the higher-quality coil pack that’s less likely to need replaced and less likely to damage your engine.
Conclusion:
If you are driving a car, you need to know the role of a coil pack in your car’s ignition. Knowing what a coil pack is, how to choose the right coil pack, and how to install and maintain a coil pack are necessary for your vehicle. Those parts are not just important to help your vehicle’s ignition, they are also the key to maintaining a vehicle for a long time.
