Starting to notice your Range Rover doesn’t have the same get-up-and-go it once had? There’s a chance the ignition coil is on its way out. How can you be so sure though, especially if you don’t know what signs to look out for?
In this edition of our blog, we investigate the signs and causes of ignition coil failure so you can spot them before they develop into a problem much worse.
What’s the ignition coil?
The ignition coil is an essential part of your Land Rover, without it, you’ll find it pretty hard to start your SUV. Think of the ignition coil as a small transformer. It converts the 12 volts from the battery into thousands of volts that begin the ignition process. Put simply, without the ignition coil playing that role, your Range Rover is not going to get moving.
Whilst it may sound like one item, the ignition coil is actually a set, and each model of Range Rover will have a differing number of ignition coils depending on its engine size. The Range Rover Velar with Turbocharged engine for example has 18 or more ignition coils. The Range Rover Sport V8 with a 5LT supercharged engine has 14 and the Land Rover V8 LR3 has just 8.
What are the signs the ignition coils could be failing in my Range Rover?
A variety of reasons could signify the ignition coils aren’t working as they should. Noticing any of these is a sign that it may be a good idea to take your Range Rover to a Range Rover specialist for a closer look. We’ve selected the most common reasons below:
The vehicle won’t start
If you are trying to start your Range Rover and it just doesn’t want to know, there is a high chance the ignition coil is no longer doing its job and failing to provide enough voltage. Remember it’s converting a measly 12v into thousands of volts!
However, this isn’t necessarily the cause. Unfortunately, many reasons can see a Range Rover not start and damaged ignition coils are only one of many potentials.
Check engine light comes on
If your Range Rover indicates you may need to check your engine, it could be due to the ignition coils not working as they should. The thing is many issues can trigger the light so you will need to use onboard diagnostics to determine whether the problem could stem from the ignition coil. Codes such as PO351 on your OBD checker would indicate that it is the ignition coil that may be at fault. With the large number of coils in your Range Rover, be aware that codes could reach PO360 and beyond as they run from PO350 onwards for each ignition coil.
Using more fuel than usual
If your Range Rover is now getting through the fuel much faster than normal despite your driving routine not changing, there could be an issue with the ignition coil. A faulty coil is unable to generate the spark needed to ignite the air-fuel mix and as a result, the engine has less power. To compensate for this, the vehicle pushes more fuel into the combustion chamber, eventually causing your mileage to suffer. You may not notice this one right away but if you have filled up more than usual recently, this could be worth a look.
Poor acceleration and lack of power
If you could normally pull away smoothly and with good acceleration but have now noticed things have become a little sluggish, it could be due to the ignition coils not working as they should.
Frequent stalling or misfiring
If you have noticed your Range Rover stalling or misfiring, the ignition coil could be causing a few problems. Like many of our possible signs of ignition coil failure, this too can be attributed to other things, but you certainly shouldn’t discount the ignition coils.
When your vehicle misfires, it is because one of the engine’s cylinders isn’t firing correctly. As this puts the engine under more strain, you may notice the smell of fuel and spot increased emissions from the exhaust. This would be a sign that the ignition coil is not working as it should. You’ll also notice the vehicle is more likely to splutter or jerk as you drive.
Should the Range Rover be stalling, this could be because the ignition coil is unable to convert the required amount of power and have the spark plugs fire consistently.
These problems require urgent attention as damage could be getting caused to other components too.
Rough idle
If the ignition coil isn’t working properly, your Range Rover might run at varying RPMs, even when idling! The inconsistent power being produced by the coil leads to an inconsistent burning of fuel which leads to your vehicle behaving erratically and possibly stopping altogether.
How long should an ignition coil last?
Ignition coils, much like when the clutch goes, can fail due to how well looked after the vehicle is, the driving style of the driver and the quality of the product installed. You should typically expect around 50,000 miles or more from an ignition coil.
Can you drive with a faulty ignition coil?
You can, you are just likely to experience many of the issues we mentioned above. If you continue to drive with a faulty ignition coil, you could see other problems develop that are much more expensive to fix. As soon as you spot any issues you should get in touch with a Range Rover specialist to help you get the issue fixed as soon as possible.
What causes the ignition coil to fail?
A few reasons could lead to the ignition coils in your Range Rover failing. Sometimes it is a poor-quality product installed at a prior service, other times it is general wear and tear but often, other issues lead to their failure. These include:
Damaged spark plugs
Should the spark plugs be damaged, they might cause the ignition coil to be overloaded with too high a voltage.
Incorrect air-fuel ratio
If the mixture of air and fuel is too lean, the ignition coil may overheat and then falter. Should the mix be too rich, electrical stress could cause the coil to stop working.
Contamination
If dirt, grease or oil from the valve covers gets into the ignition coil or spark plugs, it will stop them from working as they should.
Other reasons such as internal short circuits, water intrusion or a weak battery could also see the ignition coils fail to work as they should.
Can you fix an ignition coil by yourself?
You can but it requires a degree of care and attention. The risk of electrical shock is high and ensuring things are installed as they should means you need to have at least an intermediate knowledge of what you are doing. It would be much safer, and more likely to be a success if you ask for a trained mechanic at a Range Rover service centre to complete the job for you.
RCV are the Kent and London Range Rover specialists who can ensure your SUV is in the best possible condition all year round. With comprehensive servicing as well as Range Rover MOTs and wheel alignment, we treat your vehicle as if it is our own. Contact us today to save up to 40% on main dealer prices.