The ignition system is one of the most essential systems found in your Pontiac and any other car. It performs two significant tasks: to create a spark that will ignite the mixture of fuel-air in the engine cylinder and to control the timing of the spark so that it would take place at the precise time and send it to the right cylinder. But of course, this process won't be effective without its components. And one of the components of this system is the ignition coil. Otherwise known as a spark coil, your Pontiac ignition coil is a form of induction coil that essentially converts the storage battery's 12 volts turning it into thousands of volts which is needed to spark the spark plugs. When these thousands of volts pass through the coil primary windings, they generate a strong magnetic field. Once the current has been shut off either by the ignition module or through the opening of the contact points in older ignition systems, a strong magnetic field is produced that causes a flow of high voltage for as much as 40000 volts. This high voltage flows through the distributor, spark plugs where it jumps on the plug gap and consequently fires the plugs. A faulty ignition coil includes cracks on the high voltage area and open or shorts in the internal wirings. Checking your Pontiac ignition coil regularly will help you diagnose the problems and help you be aware about those parts that need a repair and replacement. And if ever you need a new one, check out our online store for an explosive line of Pontiac ignition coils fresh from the manufacturers' factories that will best match your vehicle's specifications.