Parts for your 2017 Ford Transit-Ignition coils

2017 Ford Transit ignition coils — are they even a thing?

For most 2017 Ford Transit vans sold new in Australia and New Zealand, ignition coils aren’t used at all. That’s because these models were delivered almost exclusively with diesel engines (Duratorq TDCi 2.2 or EcoBlue 2.0), which rely on compression ignition rather than spark. Diesel combustion doesn’t need a spark plug, so there’s no coil to drive one. Ford’s workshop information for the Transit diesel range (2.2 Duratorq/2.0 EcoBlue) describes a glow plug and glow plug control module system, and the parts catalog lists glow plugs in place of any ignition coil assemblies. Owner and service literature for these diesel Transits also contains no spark plug maintenance schedule — another easy clue that coils aren’t part of the picture.

What does the job of “starting aid” on these engines? Short answer: glow plugs and the glow plug control module help with cold starts, while the high-pressure common-rail fuel system and precise injector timing handle combustion once it’s running. Crank and cam sensors, the PCM, and proper fuel filtration are the other key players.

There were petrol Transits in some markets in 2017 (for example, the 3.5 EcoBoost V6 and 3.7 Ti‑VCT V6 in North America), and those engines do use coil-on-plug ignition. If a 2017 Transit in Australia or New Zealand is a private import or conversion with a petrol engine, it will have ignition coils on top of each spark plug under the bonnet. In that case, regular checks for misfire codes, oil intrusion into plug wells, cracked coil housings, and timely spark plug replacement will keep it sweet.

If the van is a local diesel model, there’s no ignition coil to service. Instead, focus on:

• Glow plugs and the glow plug control module
• Battery condition and starter performance (vital for cold starts)
• Fuel filter changes on schedule and clean diesel supply
• Injector performance and DPF health on higher‑kilometre vehicles

If unsure whether your Transit is petrol or diesel, check the fuel label on the filler flap or the build plate, or look under the bonnet: diesel engines have injector lines and glow plug wiring, petrol engines have spark plugs with individual coil packs.

FAQs

Does a 2017 Ford Transit have ignition coils?
Most Aussie and Kiwi 2017 Transits are diesel and don’t use ignition coils. They use glow plugs instead. Only petrol-powered Transits (rare in AU/NZ, more common as imports) have coil-on-plug ignition.

What should be serviced instead of ignition coils on a diesel Transit?
Prioritise glow plugs and the glow plug control module, keep the battery and starter in top nick, replace fuel filters on time, and monitor injector performance and DPF operation. These have a far bigger impact on starting and driveability than anything “ignition” related.

How can someone tell if their Transit needs ignition coil maintenance?
If it’s petrol, it has coils. Look for coil packs on top of the cylinder head and spark plugs. Misfire codes, rough idle, or hesitation under load often point to a coil or plug issue. If it’s diesel, there are no coils — look to glow plugs or the fuel system instead.