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It's really quite amazing how an ignition coil can continually transform the alternator's meager 13 or 14 volts into a staggering 25,000 to 40,000 volts for the spark plugs. This high voltage is required to ignite each combustion chamber's fuel-air mixture several times a second. So if one of your ignition coils falters, your engine will struggle too. Here are six signs you have a faulty ignition coil and should visit your local Chevy dealer to repair or replace it. Does Your Chevy Have a Faulty Ignition Coil? You're Idling Roughly When an ignition coil stops providing the spark plug with sufficient voltage, that spark plug will begin misfiring. This causes the engine to cough and shake, especially when you slow down at traffic lights or while parking. If your engine starts to struggle while idling, consider having both your spark plugs and ignition coils checked by a technician. You're Losing Acceleration power The steady electrical flow provided by your ignition coils allows your engine to power happily along. So when one or more coils stop doing their job, you'll notice a sudden reduction in acceleration power. The normally responsive gas pedal of your car will be packing a little less punch than usual. Your Exhaust Is Backfiring Misfiring inside the combustion chambers can lead to a variety of other problems. As the bad ignition coil fails to provide the proper sparking voltage, an excess of unburned fuel builds up inside the chamber. This excess fuel might begin igniting in a delayed manner, just as the cylinder is opening. This off-beat explosion will be heard as a loud bang. The unburned fuel can also begin to escape through the exhaust system, where it might ignite inside the catalytic converter, causing an even louder backfire and costly damage to your car. You Notice Smoke Behind You As the excess of unburned fuel escapes through the exhaust system, it often emerges in the form of black smoke. So if you ever notice thick smoke coming from your car's tailpipe, pull over and check your spark plugs and ignition coils. Your Check Engine Light Warns You When ignition coils fail, the sensors inside your engine will usually quickly pick up the ensuing engine problems. And you'll soon see the check engine light come to life on your instrument panel. Your Chevy Dealer Finds a Fault Regular checkups at your local dealership are a crucial part of good car maintenance. While servicing your vehicle, the technicians will often find problems that you might not yet have noticed. So if your technician shows you how one of your ignition coils is on its last legs, request to have it cleaned or replaced before it causes any of the problems outlined above. Visit Crain Chevrolet to have experienced professionals examine your engine's ignition coils today. We provide personalized customer service and top-notch vehicles to the region's Chevy drivers.

Your engine is very complex and depends on hundreds of different parts working in unison to generate the power that allows your car to move. If any part of your engine is damaged, your Chevy dealer can repair it for you. These are a few of the engine problems we can repair. 3 Engine Problems You Should Always Fix at Your Chevy Dealer Worn Engine Mounts Your engine is attached to the car body by two engine mounts. These mounts are designed to absorb both the vibrations produced by the engine and the vibrations from your car's movement. The mounts are made from rubber, and they're filled with a glycol/water mixture to absorb and dissipate vibrations. In time, these mounts can become worn or damaged. Damaged mounts can leak, and if this happens, liquid will leak out. The loss of liquid reduces the amount of cushioning effect, and you'll feel thumps or vibrations when you drive. The engine won't break loose, but the vibrations are unpleasant and can lead to engine damage if the problem isn't fixed. We'll examine your mounts and replace them if they're damaged. Dirty Intake Manifold The intake manifold is part of your engine where fuel and air mix. These two elements must mix in a precise ratio before they are drawn into the cylinders. The fuel-air mix will enter the cylinders where it's compressed and then ignited at a precise moment to produce combustion. Your engine requires more air than fuel for combustion, so the mixture must be 14:1 air to fuel. Fuel contains carbon, and tiny carbon deposits can be left behind each time fuel enters the manifold. If these carbon deposits build up sufficiently, they can affect the fuel-air mixture by reducing the amount of air. A high percentage of fuel in the mixture will turn your engine fuel-rich, and this can lead to starting problems, misfiring, and other issues. We can clean a dirty manifold to fix this problem. Damaged Ignition Coils Every driver knows that the spark plugs produce the spark that ignites the fuel-air mixture. Igniting the mixture requires a powerful electrical charge, and a spark plug produces 12 volts. Each spark plug has an ignition coil connected to it that produces 50,000 volts which is more than sufficient to initiate combustion. The coils can wear out due to age, and they can be damaged by other problems in the engine. A weak alternator, worn spark plugs, and other issues can result in one or more coils failing. A damaged coil will prevent its attached spark plug from correctly igniting a cylinder's contents, and that cylinder will misfire. We'll test your ignition coils and replace any damaged ones. If your engine exhibits any signs of trouble, call our service department at Crain Chevrolet.