Bench Testing a Coil

[Jack Klarich]

If you want to "bench" test a coil, remove wires, attach a hot 12 volt to the battery (batt, +, etc.) terminal. Then attach a wire to the ignition (ign) terminal and touch ground and remove. Should throw a spark from the high tension lead with each application of 12v and removal. The ground wire basically imitates the function of the ignition points/module. If the high tension lead terminal is gapped a reasonable amount from the engine, there should be a bright white spark. Weak or orange spark indicates (low voltage...or) bad coil output.

 

[fin_676]

Good reminder Jack sometimes we forget about the simple tests in these days of the computer knows best

Brian

 

[joel]

You can also check youself for continuity to ground with the coil output wire. jjuusstt be sure your pants aren't wet.