febi bilstein continues to expand it range of OE matching quality ignition coils and now offers almost 100 different part numbers for a huge variety of makes and models. These include; single coils providing ignition voltage through a distributor, ‘wasted-spark’ coil packs and individual coil-on-plug units.

Ignition coils perform a vital function in the vehicle ignition system are subject to extreme stress. Quality is vital when considering replacements as it ensures smooth engine starts, improved combustion performance and optimum fuel economy.

In petrol engines, the ignition coil converts a car battery’s low voltage, of around 12 volts, to the thousands of volts needed to create an electric spark in the spark plugs and ignite the fuel. The voltage required depends on many factors such as the width of the electrode gap, the electrical resistance in the spark plug or ignition leads, the air/fuel mixture, the compression pressure / engine load and the spark plug temperature. The level of voltage required can vary from 5,000 volts up to as much as 30,000 volts.

febi says that most ignition coils have a relatively long service life, but they can fail for reasons such as heat and vibration damage to the coil's insulation, or the biggest cause of ignition coil damage, voltage overload, which is caused by poor quality or faulty spark plugs and/or HT leads.

If the ignition coil's output voltage rises too high, it burns through the coil's internal insulation, causing a short. The coil’s insulation can be damaged if the output exceeds 35,000 volts. If this happens, the coil's output voltage may drop causing ignition misfire. In worst case scenarios, the coil may cease to put out any voltage at all, preventing the engine from starting or running.

febi recommends fitting new spark plugs (and HT leads where applicable) at the same time as replacing a faulty ignition coil.

Details of the full range of febi ignition coils can be found on the on febi Live! online catalogue.