- engine stalls
- erratic idle
- power outage
- lower fuel efficiency
- In rare instances stalling
- check-engine indicator
- Vehicle won’t start
Usually, ignoring these symptoms only makes things more annoying. Whether that just entails consuming more petrol than normal or getting parked in a parking lot because your car won’t start.
BMW ignition coils have a maximum service life of 140 000 miles. They are often only replaced when there are warning indicators of failure and not as routine maintenance.
In This Article...
Why do ignition coils malfunction?
Your BMW’s ignition coils’ openings are so near to the engine that with time, heat and vibration might harm the coil housing. The typical lifespan of a BMW ignition coil is around 140,000 kilometers. The lifespan of your coils may drastically reduce if you frequently strain your car’s performance. You should prepare to replace your coils every 20,000–25,000 miles if you’re one of the enthusiasts with modified BMWs who enjoys pushing the limits of your vehicle.
Other factors that contribute to ignition coil failure include faulty spark plugs, oil leaks, and engine water corrosion. It’s possible that a damaged spark plug won’t conduct electricity effectively. Due to the excessive heat produced on the insulator side, this can eventually cause the coil housing to melt. Oil leaks will corrode the spark plug and coil connection, decreasing conductivity and ultimately blocking a spark. Finally, water damage will undoubtedly short the circuit formed by the connection between the ignition coil and the spark plug.
How Frequently Should BMW Plugs and Coils Be Replaced?
It is challenging to estimate the lifespan of the spark plugs and ignition coils because, obviously, not all BMW engines are created equal. The lifespan of the components in your BMW ignition system may be impacted by modifications, driving behavior, and product brand. Spark plugs typically wear out in substantially tuned engines that are used on tracks or pushed to their absolute limits on public highways. On the other hand, the spark plugs in grandma’s factory BMW may be preserved and allowed to travel farther than the mileage at which they should be changed without experiencing problems. The approximate life expectancy of certain BMW components is as follows:
- Mileage for spark plugs: 40,000–50,000
- 50,000–65,000 miles on ignition coils
- 15,000 miles on the spark plugs
- 20,000–25,000 miles on ignition coils
These are the general mileages that people who fall into the first two groups can anticipate from their spark plugs and ignition coils. Others may find that the lifespan of their BMW ignition parts is more evenly distributed, leaning either way depending on their customizations and driving habits. For instance, because I drive aggressively and my 2007 BMW 335i N54 engine is modified, my spark plugs normally last approximately 22,000 miles whereas the ignition coils last slightly over 30,000 miles (I do not track the car).
BMW Ignition Coil Failure Warning Signs
The ignition system in your BMW depends heavily on ignition coils. In earlier models, spark plug voltage was sent to them by a single ignition coil through a distributor.
A multi ignition coil technology is now used in modern vehicles, including BMW. These coils transform the 12V from the battery in your BMW into 40,000V, which is sufficient power to ignite the spark plugs and start your automobile.
Although a BMW is an ideal car, frequent maintenance is necessary to keep parts like ignition coils and others in good working order. Let’s talk about BMW ignition coil failure and how to avoid it.
BMW ignition coils: what are they?
You’ve come to the right place if you’re reading this and you’re worried that your ignition coil is malfunctioning. In order to provide you the best explanation of why one or more of your ignition coils are failing and what you can do to fix it, our mechanics have gathered together. Let’s now explore the ignition coil’s function in your BMW.
The component of your engine that drives the spark plug is called an ignition coil. It is attached to a distributor, which aids in timing the cylinder combustion in your engine. An engine’s timing is crucial. A cylinder will misfire without the timely spark produced by a spark plug to an ignition coil. Your engine suffers damage from misfires, which also affect your BMW’s overall performance.
Your BMW has an ignition coil for each cylinder. The Engine Control Module (ECM) will cut off power going from your distributor to the damaged ignition coil if one of them fails.
We want you to be aware that damaged or failing ignition coils ought to be fixed right away. Your engine will experience further misfires and overcompensation for the power reduction as time goes on.
Are the ignition coils on all BMWs the same?
Even though some part numbers are for particular models, you can follow their origins. Consequently, every BMW ignition coil application from 2003 to 2016 is equivalent, if not interchangeable.
How much would a BMW ignition coil cost?
Frequently Used BMW Ignition Coils According to industry standard prices, a BMW ignition coil should cost between $21.69 and $255.84.
Should I swap out my BMW’s ignition coils all at once?
Coil packs are dependable and should endure for the entire life of the car. There is no need to replace everyone if one of them behaves badly. However, you should replace them all if one pack begins to malfunction after the odometer has traveled about 75,000 miles.
How frequently should coil packs be changed? They don’t need to be changed until symptoms start to appear. Most of the time, they don’t need servicing until they’ve traveled 120,000 to 150,000 miles.
What damages the coils in a BMW?
The heat and vibration from your engine can eventually lead to an ignition coil failure. Although insulated, persistent vibration and heat will eventually harm any electronic component. The telltale indicators of malfunctioning ignition coils can be identified by a qualified BMW mechanic.
Overvoltage from a defective spark plug or plug wire reaching the coil is the most frequent cause of ignition coil failure. Either will severely shorten the ignition coil’s lifespan. Bad spark plugs and wires can be avoided because your BMW’s instructions call for precise intervals between changes. Later costs will increase if plugs and cables are not replaced on a regular basis.
What is the price of changing the spark plugs in a BMW?
Best in Automotive Repair Spark plug repair for a BMW 328i typically costs between $219 and $347. The cost of labor is expected to be between $150 and $189, while the cost of parts is between $69 and $158.
Can one ignition coil be replaced by itself?
I just changed one coil, but I’m not sure if I’m about to experience a serious failure. What should five coils plus labor on my Santa Fe cost, in your opinion? Will the performance or gas mileage be affected until then? I drive in the mountains in below-freezing temperatures, and I’ve recently seen a drop in gas mileage and performance up hills, which is why I’m asking. Trying to determine the need and budget. Thank you so much for your advice.
The cost will be close to what it would be if you multiply the amount you paid for the single coil by five. Going up hills always uses more petrol and reduces mpg. Coils can be changed one at a time or all at once. To avoid having to remove coils again, I would advise having all spark plugs replaced along with the coils.
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Do all the ignition coils need to be replaced at once?
It is not possible to fix a damaged ignition coil; a replacement is required. It’s a quick and inexpensive procedure to replace an ignition coil ($180-$380 for one coil) in the majority of cars with a 4-cylinder or inline-6 engine.
Some V6 engines require the removal of an intake manifold in order to access the rear ignition coils. This takes more work and is more expensive ($280 to $500 for one rear coil). In situations like this, your mechanic might advise changing all three of the rear ignition coils as a precaution.
If the spark plugs haven’t been changed in a while, it’s also advised to replace them altogether whenever one of the ignition coils dies. Ignition coils will last longer with new spark plugs.
How frequently should BMW spark plugs be replaced?
Spark plugs must be replaced every 60,000 miles in the majority of contemporary BMWs built after 2010 with the N20 or N55 engines. For BMWs with V8, V10, N54, or N63 engines, 37000 miles is the minimum distance before replacement spark plugs are required.
Will performance be improved by new ignition coils?
Engine performance is improved by a high-performance ignition coil. It permits a larger spark plug gap, which results in a stronger initial flame kernel at the start of combustion and higher voltage. As a result, there is a noticeable increase in engine torque. Another advantage of having more power available is that it arrives faster, giving voltage diversion by the inescapable carbon buildup on spark plugs less time. Most crucially, the higher voltage potential causes the electrical stream to be pushed to the socket with greater force and speed. There is greater reserve power with higher voltage available for unusual situations like riding uphill on a hot day with low tire pressure and a 20 mph headwind.
It fluctuates and is far below the ignition coil’s voltage output potential that is needed to bridge the gap in the plug. When there is a high demand (load), greater rpm, and cylinder pressure, for instance, a 60,000-volt ignition coil will only fire its spark plug at 60,000 volts; but, when the engine is idle and the demand is low, it will fire at 7,000–20,000 volts. Why is there a surcharge, and how is this possible? The air in a spark plug’s area is not conductive when it is ready to ignite; it needs to be made so. The process of “ionization,” which has to do with the electrical charge of atoms, briefly makes it conductive. Basically, it indicates that the air is prepared to carry electricity. Spark plug voltages cause the air molecules to heat up and become more active, which allows voltage to pass through the agitated air and jump the plug’s gap.
What distinguishes an ignition coil from a coil pack?
A high voltage pulse can be produced by the ignition coil and delivered to the spark plug. The term “coil pack” describes a group of coils utilized in an engine but not connected to a distributor. The group of coils is managed by a computer. Each coil will provide energy to a single spark plug or a group of spark plugs.
When the ignition coil fails, can you still drive?
You can purchase a replacement ignition coil online if you’ve found that your ignition coil is broken. Ignition coil prices will vary depending on the make and model of your automobile, but for older models, they should be around PS50. The Beckermann Ignition Coil 3Y36K, compatible for the 2013 Ford Fiesta, is available at YMF Car Parts for PS53.
The good news is that an ignition coil issue is neither an imminent safety threat nor prohibitively expensive to fix. Even though the car will operate poorly, you can drive if you have to with a damaged ignition coil. If not addressed, an ignition coil issue can harm other auto components, particularly the catalytic converter, which could result in more serious issues.
How can I tell if the spark plugs in my BMW are bad?
Your automobile may feel a touch “odd,” which is possibly the most evident indicator of damaged spark plugs. It could begin slowly with something as straightforward as poor gas mileage, but it might end up with a lack of acceleration.