Connect one of the DMM leads to the positive (+ or BAT) terminal and the other lead to the coil's secondary terminal (coil tower). All Rights Reserved. In reply to Vintageant :Used to carry a spare set of points/condenser back in the past.Especially since my Cortina had a Ford dist.that ate condensors.Now with Lucas dist in both I use Pertronixignitor's. Step 2: Spin the flywheel rapidly (at least 350 RPM) and watch for spark in the tester window. Sometimes, you just need quality repair work performed by professionals you can trust like our partners, the certified mechanics at Goodyear Tire & Service. The older term "high-tension" means "high-voltage". Rotate the magneto thru a full turn until the impulse coupling clicks. Four systems are covered: breaker-point system, electronic ignition system, coil-on-plug system and waste-spark system. Many are set 180 degrees out. Connect the test spark plug to the output terminal of the ignition coil and ground the test spark plug. | Shipping and taxes calculated at checkout. You'll need the electrical value specifications for your application. Then 6V out when key is on. Sometimes an ignition coil is clearly bad because itmakes no spark at all. For a more in-depth look at the science behind ignition coils, check out this video from the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab), the largest and highest-powered magnet laboratory in the world, in Tallahassee, Florida. As with most types of vehicular maintenance, you'll want to begin the test with the vehicle in park and with the engine off. . I remember visiting Jamaica in the 2000's and on my travels one day, I saw a family standing around their car with hood open. How to Start a Car with a Locked-up Steering Wheel, How to Disconnect a Car Battery Like a Pro, Ignition Switch Replacement: An Easy-To-Follow Guide. | Never miss an article. Inspect the housing for cracks, holes, or any other damage. Push the throttle top open. Check out as guest. 3. If you do not have a test meter you can use a self-powered test light to do essentially the same thing. If the test light flashes, the primary circuit in the ignition system is working properly, but the coil is bad. An ignition coil doesn't have any moving parts, so it usually has a long-lasting service life of thousands of trouble-free miles. Those same principles of inductance create a kind of paradox because when the points open and the magnetic field collapses, it also induces a current in the primary as well. After 1975, most cars went to electronic ignition systems. The ignition system is considered to be passive. I put a piece of electrical tape over the pin hole, tried to start the engine, and it firedright up. The timing was correct. You want the battery to read at least 12.6 volts, assuming you have a 12-volt system. Some coils must be disconnected from their electrical connections before removal. To save time and avoid potentially damaging your spark plug, consider using a spark plug tester instead. Cut a strip of heavy paper and slip it between the points. Testing the ignition switch with a multi-meter set on volts D.C. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Test-an-Ignition-Coil-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-an-Ignition-Coil-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Test-an-Ignition-Coil-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1517690-v4-728px-Test-an-Ignition-Coil-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"