Test ignition coil? |
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Windancer
Member Joined: 20 Apr. 2007 Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Posted: 25 May 2007 at 5:54am |
Is there a way to check an ignition coil to verify
that it is outputting energy to power ignition points? I have 6.4 volts at the + terminal on the coil (6V system). As I remember, the coil is to boost the voltage to 10,000 / 20,000 volts? My multi-meter volts scale only increments up to 1000 ACV. I am not getting spark out the coil wire that attaches to center distributor. Thanks. Windancer |
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Windancer
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TERRY
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 22 May 2007 Location: BOULDER COLORADO Status: Offline Points: 3401 |
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Check continuity through the coil both on primary and secondary sides and chech for short between primary and secondary windings, also measure the resistance in primary and secondary windings.I think those resistances are in the manual..
You can also alternately make and break the primary circuit with a jumper wire and check for a spark from the secondary. That bypasses the distributor and points, because the points, rotor , distributor cap, loss of ground to the breaker plate etc could all cause loss of spark Edited by TERRY - 25 May 2007 at 10:14am |
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BOULDER 48 2A
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sean
Moderator Group Sponsor Member Joined: 20 July 2005 Location: North Idaho Status: Offline Points: 7388 |
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David:
There is no quick 'n easy "good/bad" test w/only a multi-meter. It needs to be done on a coil tester, or on-vehicle. A multi-meter continuity test can tell if it's definitely bad, but not if it's good.
Even if you get spark on a one-shot test, that won't tell you if it will operate at 2000 sparks per minute, or under compression (100psi), or when the coil is hot. These have to be done under real-life conditions (a tester or on-vehicle). You might check w/local auto-electric shops, some may still have coil-testers. Sean |
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sudsie
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 20 July 2005 Location: , NJ Status: Offline Points: 385 |
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My local shop that did my starter & gen, said he didn't have the equipment to test coils?
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sean
Moderator Group Sponsor Member Joined: 20 July 2005 Location: North Idaho Status: Offline Points: 7388 |
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Most shops just replace it if in doubt. They make more money that way. You have the search around, but some of the old time shops still have testers. Sean |
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