basic ignition coil check

[grumpyvette]

"A SIMPLE QUICK CHECK FOR YOUR COIL IS

:CHECK YOUVE GOT 12 VOLTS, AT THE COIL, PUT A TEST LIGHT TO GROUND AND THE NEG SIDE OF COIL AND CRANK ENGINE THE TEST LIGHT SHOULD FLASH OR FLICKER.(ANALOG METERS WITH A SWINGING NEEDLE,SWEEP ARE BETTER THAN DIGITAL)

THIS WILL TELL IF YOUR TRIGGER IS WORKING.

NEXT TAKE A PLUG AND HOOK IT TO YOUR COIL WIRE AND GROUND THE PLUG,BODY AND CHECK FOR SPARK THERE ACCROSS THE PLUG GAP,WHEN YOU CRANK THE CARS ENGINE, BE AWARE MANY IGNITIONS WON,T HAVE VOLTAGE UNTILL YOU HAVE 4-5 PSI OF OIL PRESSURE, GAP THE TEST SPARK PLUG AT .150, SPARK SHOULD BE BRIGHT BLUE,IF ITS YELLOW OR RED, CHECK ENGINE GROUNDS FIRST, THEN START LOOKING FOR OTHER PROBLEMS

 

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ignition-system3.htm

 

http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/ig108.htm

 

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/aa062902b.htm

 

http://autorepair.about.com/od/troubleshooting/ss/coil-test-ohm.htm

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_2321232_test-ignition-coil-car.html

 

 

and yes THE BETTER multi spark control boxes are well worth the expence as they tend to stop or make plug fouling significantly lower

 

http://www.msdignition.com/page.aspx?id=4209

 

http://www.msdignition.com/page.aspx?id=3206

 

http://www.msdignition.com/page.aspx?id=9765