The Aston Martin is well-known for its mark in the world of luxury sports vehicles. The designers endeavor to make each model equally sleek, eye-catching, and fast. This makes the Aston Martin a true treat for any driver or passenger.
Like any high-performance automobile, the Aston Martin will require some routine maintenance and the occasional repair. One possible mechanical failure could be the ignition coil which will need to be replaced. Let’s take a moment to explore the importance of an ignition coil, what it does, how to determine when you need a mechanic, and the best place to have it replaced.
The Ignition Coil
An ignition coil (or as it’s commonly called a spark coil) is a type of induction coil found in a car’s ignition system. This part converts the voltage from the car’s battery into thousands of volts that are needed to create the electric spark inside the spark plugs to ignite the fuel.
Signs that Your Ignition Coil Needs to be Replaced
There are six common signs that your ignition coil may need to be replaced. If your vehicle starts showing any of the symptoms below, you should contact a professional repair shop immediately.
- Engine Light Comes On: In most Aston Martins, a failing ignition coil will be enough to activate the vehicle’s check engine light. If you happen to own an OBD-II diagnostics scanner, you might see the ignition code, P0351. You may also see a code for an engine misfire which is a common result of a bad ignition coil.
- Engine is Misfiring: As previously mentioned, a misfiring engine could be the result of a faulty ignition coil. You can detect a misfiring engine when operating at normal speeds by a sputtering or jerking feeling. When you stop your vehicle, the engine may sound rough or shake and vibrate.
- Engine Backfires: A modern Aston Martin engine should never backfire. You can easily detect a backfire by a loud bang that occurs when fuel rapidly escapes through the exhaust system. There are many different causes of an engine backfire, but a faulty ignition coil is one of the more common ones. A backfiring engine should be taken seriously as it can be the start of some serious engine issues.
- Hard Starts: Another sign that the ignition coil in your Aston Martin needs to be replaced is a hard start. A hard start can occur if a spark plug is not receiving sufficient voltage to create a spark. This symptom can occur with any configuration of coils but is most common in engines with a single ignition coil.
- Drop in Power: If you notice your Aston Martin is running rougher than usual, it could be a sign that the ignition coil is bad. If your engine feels sluggish while idling, it could mean that a bad ignition coil is causing it to have diminished power. A bad ignition coil can also make your car feel extra rough when you accelerate or may make it stall.
- Worsening Gas Mileage: Ignition coils could either fail completely or intermittently. If you suspect the coil is failing, even at random moments, you’ll want to get your vehicle into a reputable repair shop as soon as possible because it is a sure sign that your coil will only get worse over time. Faulty coils can cause your gas mileage to begin worsening. If you notice this happening, you may want to get your vehicle properly diagnosed to pinpoint if it is a bad ignition coil or something else that needs attention.
Where to Get Your Car Serviced
When you own a luxury vehicle like an 
Aston Martin, you don’t want to trust any mechanic shop to get under the hood. The right auto repair shop for your car is one that has a history of providing excellent quality service at reasonable rates. When you bring your car into Mark Douglas Motorworks, you can be sure that your car is in good hands.
Aston Martin owners living in or around the Orange County area, including Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Niguel, CA, can take comfort in bringing their vehicle into a reputable service center like Mark Douglas Motorworks. Call us today for an appointment.