Signs Your BMW’s Ignition Coil Might Be Failing
by europewpadmin August 9, 2024When the ignition coil in your BMW is failing, a score of little problems will soon start creeping in. Decreased performance is one that you’ll definitely notice, but you might see problems starting up before that, ranging from annoying ‘check engine’ warning lights right up to not starting at all!
Today we’re going to talk about your BMW’s ignition coil so that you have a better idea how it works, what can damage it, and how your best defense is a good offense in the form of regular preventative maintenance by a shop that knows your BMW model.
If you’re ready to go, then let’s get things started with a closer look at your BMW’s ignition coil.
Your BMW’s Ignition Coil: A Quick Overview
The ignition coil inside your BMW is an electrochemical wonder, taking low-voltage electricity and converting it into the high voltage needed to spark the air and fuel mixture in the engine to create efficient controlled combustion.
As you might guess, this is critical to your BMW’s trademark punch and power. so you’ll want to be very aware of the signs and symptoms that there might be a problem with the ignition coil.
That ‘decreased performance’ we mentioned before is a very nice way of saying that your BMW might start getting slow and sluggish to respond when you push down on the accelerator and in a high-performance ride like a BMW, it’s impossible to miss performance hits like that – You really want to get your vehicle looked at by an expert as soon as possible when you notice this.
Taking time to start up is another telltale ignition coil issue. Your BMW should roar to life immediately when you start it, so if you are seeing any delays in this then that’s another good reason to head straight for the shop before things get worse.
Finally, while dashboard lights can be annoying, ignoring them is something that you do at your own peril. When the ‘check engine’ light comes on then you want to get a diagnostic run on your BMW to see what it is referring to. If it’s happening with reduced and/or otherwise sluggish startup or performance then the ignition coil might well be the culprit.
What Can Damage My Ignition Coil?
While the standard wear and tear that time will inflict on your engine’s components might be to blame, there are other reasons why the ignition coil might start to wear down to the point of being close to failure. Here are some common reasons why this may occur:
- Fuel system issues – There is a perfect air to fuel ratio that needs to be maintained for controlled combustion, and if this isn’t occurring, then it’s going to put stress on the ignition coil when it’s simply trying to do its job.
- Fluid leaks – Fluids and other contaminants such as road dirt can sometimes get onto your ignition coils, adding abrasion and insulation factors that will affect their performance in detrimental ways.
- Damaged spark plugs or wiring – Sometimes it’s just a matter of damaged spark plugs that need to be replaced so that they can take that converted current and spark up combustion. Additionally, any wiring issues may stop current or make it unreliable, which in turn taxes your ignition coil over time.
- Worn insulation – Worn insulation may occur between the primary and secondary windings of an ignition coil, which in turn might cause it to overheat.
Regular Preventative Maintenance Performed by BMW Experts Can Help
While it seems like there are a lot 
of scenarios where your ignition coil might end up compromised, the good news is that regular preventative maintenance by a mechanic who knows your BMW right down to the model and its specific known issues can help stop these problems before they start.
If you don’t already have a BMW specialist on your side and happen to live in or near Allen, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, Highland Park, McKinney, Park Cities, Richardson, Southlake, University Park, or Plano, TX, then you’re in luck – European Auto Tech can help.
Specializing in European and Asian vehicles, for over 18 years we’ve been providing full-service preventative maintenance and repair services in the great state of Texas. Don’t take out word for it, however – Give us a call or stop by and give us a chance to earn your business.