Ignition Coil - How to Test

This video describes a simple and easy one man procedure to test if your coil is firing properly.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• british
• car
• coil
• test
• spark
• fire
• firing
• mg
• triumph
• austin
• healey
• classic
• mini
• jaguar

[dimeton]

Would there be any problem if ignition coil be replace with different model?

[MossMotorsCom]

As long as it was replaced with an appropriate ballasted or non-ballasted coil then everything else will be fine.

[Rally68]

I tested my coil today using this method, but I get a very tiny spark. I read somewhere else that a capacitor is needed between coil - and grond. I tried that and I get a thick blue-purple spark during the bench test. I'm a little confused as to why that worked. What made me more confused is that the stock ignition system doesn't have a capacitor and when testing the coil by cranking the engine I get a much hotter spark than the bench test without the capacitor. Could you offer any insight?

[MossMotorsCom]

A capacitor in a car is usually called the condenser.

When testing by hand a tiny spark is good. We cant make/break that ground circuit by hand fast enough to let the coil really show what it has to offer. We rub the ground lead across the threads of a bolt. That quick series of contact/no-contact is what allows the coil to fire brightly enough to be seen in the video.

If you get even a small discernable spark by testing by hand you will have plenty of spark to run your motor nicely.

[goinghomesomeday1]

I should have wrote 11K +/- 1K.

[goinghomesomeday1]

This way of testing an HT coil is a typical "back-yard" job. It is not correct nor will it give you any proper result except to indicate that current is flowing through the coil. The first test you should do is to measure the resistance of the Primary and Secondary windings. The primary resistance should be less than 1 Ohm (.75 to . 95) and the secondary should measure 11K ohm. To test a coil properly you should have a coil tester. If you can afford it invest in an IMRIE 3000 or the IMRIE 630

[serchmarc]

@MrAss707 of course man...

[MrAss707]

@serchmarc are you getting fuel?

[serchmarc]

how can this be a good test?i also did this to my ign system and i got spark but the problem is that my car cranks but wont start.when i test for spark some time i have spark in cylinder 1 and some times dont and 2 or 3 i have no spark,,i have new coil,condens,cables,plugs,poin­ts,,what the hell could be the problem,,how can i know the coil is bad or delivering the right amount of kilovoltage without using an osciloscope?

[jonathan99786]

Can you explain more details about how you wire it next time PLEASE!!!!

[serchmarc]

i wonder is there any page or pattern,that says " the spark must be ..... this wide and must have a color ...... to know is a proper and good spark" some people say must be blue and thick as possible other people says just try to test it as far away from earth or chassis if it jumps more than 5mm is good and etcetc ,can you give me a tip?

[jonathan99786]

I would love to see how the connection goes....

[paulme33]

some coils fail only when hot!

[kopynd1]

how to complicate,and speek clearly,when your clothes is not working, why don't you explain you have a positive and negative on the top of the coil,just like harley dealers know f all