When it comes to the complexities of a vehicle’s ignition system, few components are as critical and mysterious as the ignition coil. This is particularly true for owners of the popular Czech-engineered Skoda Fabia.
This car may purr like a kitten in city traffic or roar like a lion on open roads, but when an ignition coil issue rears its head, your reliable ride could start coughing and spluttering unexpectedly.
Numerous owners around the world have reported Skoda Fabia ignition coil problems such as car shaking abnormally, melting coil packs, engine misfires, etc. Here, we’re going to discuss those issues in detail.
Skoda Fabia Ignition Coil Problems
The performance of your vehicle significantly relies on this small yet crucial part; hence any malfunction can seriously affect the overall driving experience.
Particularly in Skoda Fabia models, frequent wear and tear might lead to ignition coil failure – a common problem many owners grapple with. We have pointed out some of those common issues related to the ignition coil in Skoda Fabia.
Car shakes When Ticking Over
Several Skoda Fabia proprietors had observed that the vehicle exhibits behavior akin to battling a forceful gust when left operational (manifested through vehicular tremors).
Upon inspection of the engine compartment, minor vibrations within the engine are noticeable, despite it being firmly installed. According to specialists, this could be indicative of ignition coil pack failure leading to misfires.
Upon inspection of specific cases, diagnostic tests found that these misfire codes are triggered due to issues with the ignition coils. Diagnostic scanning tools were used to identify this problem which showed fault code P0300 – random/multiple cylinder misfire detected. This emphasizes that chronic vibrations experienced are likely a result of faulty ignition coil packs.
Related: How To Fix Car Shakes After Ignition Coil Replacement: A Step-By-Step Guide
Engine Losses Power
A prevalent issue linked to the ignition coil that Skoda Fabia drivers often encounter is a decrease in vehicular power during operation. This problem manifests as a noticeable lack of energy in the car’s performance, accompanied by an illuminated warning light on the instrument panel.
Although various factors can contribute to this situation, the primary cause in Skoda Fabia models is typically a faulty or damaged ignition coil.
You may also experience unsteady speed variations while driving at high speeds or constant idling; when you push down on the gas pedal and notice an unusual delay for acceleration to kick in.
Engine Stops Suddenly
Owners of Fabia Urban Wagon 1.2 16V reported that the engine stopped after 300km due to a melted ignition coil on cylinder three, which also damaged the cable assembly and blew a fuse.
Surprisingly enough, even after minor repairs were carried out by non-Skoda workshops, the problem persisted. Another unexpected issue was with the ‘check engine’ or ‘engine management’ light which came on prematurely just after driving around 100km post-repair.
Drivers reported a significant drop in power accompanied by an often rough idle and much slower acceleration, primarily when attempting to navigate uneven terrains and steep inclines. It seems like the car struggles notably in lower gears indicating possible ignition or injection system malfunction beyond just one faulty coil in cylinder three.
Misfire
Several Skoda Fabia owners reported about the misfiring engine. As they explained. Specifically, they state that the 2007 1.2 l engine model of the Skoda Fabia begins to experience a loss in the injection signal on cylinder 2 after traversing a certain distance.
Although restarting the vehicle appears to provide a temporary solution, the problem inevitably resurfaces. Attempts to rectify this issue by replacing the engine ECU and dealing with error code instrumentation have proven unsuccessful.
Most drivers who encountered these issues observed that they typically occurred beyond 80,000 kilometers on the odometer. Yet again there proves no correlation between vehicle age or mileage and the engine problem at hand.
There were exceptions where individuals confirmed identical problems while covering considerably lower mileages; some as low as 40,000 kilometres.
How to Fix Ignition Coil Problems in Skoda Fabia
A significant number of Skoda automobiles manufactured today utilize D.I.S., otherwise known as distributor-less ignition systems. These particular vehicles do not operate with a distributor. Instead, they employ sensors to trigger an ignition coil pack. There are two primary designs of these ignition coil packs.
One design involves mounting all the coils on a single pad, which is then affixed atop the spark plugs – this is commonly referred to as a cassette coil. If any coils within this configuration are discovered to be faulty, the entire coil pack must be substituted.
The alternative design positions each coil individually onto the spark plugs – this style is often termed as a Pencil type coil. With this system, if a single coil is identified as defective, it can be replaced independently.
Regardless of the design, testing procedures for these coils remain consistent with those outlined below. As always, it’s recommended that you consult an automotive service manual specific to your vehicle for detailed information and specifications.
Testing Ignition Coil Packs in Skoda Fabia
If you are a Skoda Fabia owner and experience issues with your engine, the problem might be with the ignition coil packs. Knowing how to test ignition coil packs in Skoda Fabia can save you unnecessary trips to the mechanic.
Begin by identifying the ignition coils; they are located near the engine spark plugs. Usually, auto parts shops have specific tools that you can use for this test, or a multimeter will do the job too. Disconnect everything attached to the coil pack before conducting tests – safety is paramount.
The resistance of healthy coil packs usually falls between 0.5 and 1.5 Ohm. If it is outside of this range, then there may be a fault either with your tool or possibly with the coil itself. Always perform these tests at least twice to confirm.
Testing ignition coil packs in Skoda Fabia may seem daunting but, armed with the correct information and tools, you’ll expertly diagnose any issues in no time.
Ignition Coil Replacement
As previously stated, the only way to resolve ignition coil problems is to replace the faulty ignition coil pack. The replacement process remains consistent across all cylinder’s ignition coils. It’s crucial to ensure the engine is turned off before starting any work. Let’s begin.
In the first step, lift the hood of your vehicle. Next, to safeguard your car’s paintwork and plastic components from potential damage, place a fender protection cover on it. Following this, proceed by removing the engine cover.
Now, place a microfibre towel over the throttle body. This will keep dust and debris from entering the system. Following this, use a flat screwdriver to loosen up the plastic locking tabs on your ignition coil connector.
The next step involves prying up your ignition coil using two crowbars. Once you’ve done this, remove your ignition coil from its spark plug well. Here’s a pro tip: make sure you remember each step involved in dismantling your ignition coil.
Next up is disconnecting the connectors from your ignition coils before treating them with an electronic spray that protects against corrosion and oxidation while reducing contact resistance.
Lastly, reconnect all connectors back into their respective places on your new ignition coils.
Final Words
Skoda Fabia ignition coil problems are indeed a cause for concern. Left unaddressed, these issues can cause substantial damage to your vehicle and result in poor performance or even total engine failure.
To ensure the longevity of your Skoda Fabia, regular inspection and timely maintenance are crucial. Always consult with a professional mechanic to diagnose and rectify any ignition coil problems as soon as they arise.
