Parts for your 2013 Ford Transit-Ignition coils

2013 Ford Transit ignition coils — are they even used?

Short answer: on most 2013 Ford Transits in Australia and New Zealand, ignition coils aren’t fitted. The bulk of these vans run Ford’s Duratorq TDCi diesel engines (2.2L/2.4L), which use compression ignition rather than spark ignition. That’s confirmed in Ford’s workshop information (Ford ETIS/TIS, Duratorq TDCi engine sections 303-00/303-04 — diesel engines have no spark-ignition system) and independent technical references such as Autodata and the Haynes Ford Transit Diesel 2006–2013 manual, which list glow plugs and a pre-heat control module, but no coils.

Why no coils on a diesel? A diesel ignites fuel by squeezing air so tightly it gets hot enough to combust when the fuel’s injected. There’s no spark, so there’s no need for an ignition coil to step up voltage. Instead, for cold starts, diesels rely on glow plugs and accurate fuel metering via a high-pressure common-rail system.

What should owners maintain instead of coils on a 2013 diesel Transit? Focus on the parts that actually affect cold starting and combustion quality:

• Glow plugs and the glow plug control module/relay
• Fuel filter (timely changes protect the high-pressure pump and injectors)
• Battery and earths (healthy cranking speed matters on diesels)
• Injector sealing (copper washers) and inlet/EGR cleanliness

Are there any 2013 Transits with ignition coils? A few markets offered petrol variants (e.g., Duratec petrol). Those engines do have coils (coil-on-plug or a coil pack feeding leads). If the vehicle has spark plugs and leads/coil-on-plug units under the engine cover, it’s a petrol and coils apply. For those rare petrol models, coils serve to boost battery voltage to fire the plugs, and misfires under load, hard starting, or a flashing MIL are typical coil-related symptoms.

If unsure, check the build plate/engine code or the fuel cap label. Diesel = no coils, petrol = coils and plugs to service.

Popular questions about 2013 Ford Transit ignition coils

Does a 2013 Ford Transit have ignition coils?
Most Australian and New Zealand 2013 Transits are Duratorq TDCi diesels and do not use ignition coils. They use glow plugs for cold starts and rely on high compression and precise fuel injection to ignite the charge. Only petrol-powered variants (rare in this region) have ignition coils.

How can someone tell if their 2013 Transit has ignition coils?
Open the bonnet and look for spark plugs and either coil-on-plug units or a coil pack with high-tension leads. If you see glow plug wiring on the side of the head, a diesel fuel filter and no spark hardware, it’s a diesel and won’t have coils. The engine code and fuel type on the build plate or rego paperwork also give it away.

What should be serviced instead of coils on a diesel 2013 Transit?
Prioritise glow plugs and the glow control module, keep the fuel filter fresh, and ensure the battery and earths are in top nick. Good injector sealing and clean EGR/intake pathways also help maintain smooth running, easy starting and decent economy.