6 replies to this topic

[robd74]

Best to test in a car to see if there are no high voltage breakdown issues, as using a multimeter will only be testing at about 9v.  However, with a multimeter on ohms you can check the resistance between the side terminals of the coil (+ and -). Do this with all of the wires to the coil disconnected.  You should see 1.4 Ohms (ballast resistor GT40R) to 3.4 Ohm (non ballast resister GT40).

 

Then check the resistance between either side terminal and the center high tension terminal. The reading should be 3,500 to 11,000 ohms, but this is not a great test as there could be a short to earth that the multimeter is not able to find.  Best to check the secondary side in the car.

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Best to check it outside at night with the bonnet nearly closed. The extra darkness will make it easier to check for stray sparks.

[TerrA LX]

Best to test in a car to see if there are no high voltage breakdown issues, as using a multimeter will only be testing at about 9v.  However, with a multimeter on ohms you can check the resistance between the side terminals of the coil (+ and -). Do this with all of the wires to the coil disconnected.  You should see 1.4 Ohms (ballast resistor GT40R) to 3.4 Ohm (non ballast resister GT40).

 

Then check the resistance between either side terminal and the center high tension terminal. The reading should be 3,500 to 11,000 ohms, but this is not a great test as there could be a short to earth that the multimeter is not able to find.  Best to check the secondary side in the car.

 

 

This is the best way to check a coil, works on any coil tho the numbers may vary, it is usually easy enough to google the correct figures with a part number etc.

 

IF you don't have an ohm meter you could buy a cheap spark plug tester and wire the coil up to a car and test for a good clean bright blue spark.

[r2160]

Best way to check it is to connect the positive and negative terminals to a battery for a couple of seconds and put your tongue over the terminals.

 

If you wake up 10 minutes later, its OK

 

cheers

Glenn

[hanra]

An ignition coil will not store a charge in the same way a capacitor will.