These are more no-brainers, as you only need to match the terminal markings to the battery posts. If the spark plugs receive less power from the battery, your vehicle will compensate for the lack of power transfer by using more fuel, and struggle while doing so. An ignition coil that has the wrong internal resistance often exacerbates this condition and leads to a poor-running engine for which you can find nothing wrong. All that remains is to install it in the car, connect the leads to the terminals, plug in the distributor cable and start her up! Most ignition systems work by switching the negative side of the coil primary windings to ground. Set the multimeter to the 200-ohm setting and attach the meter's leads corresponding to the terminal markings, red being positive and black being negative. Causes of Bad Ignition Coil. Due to current COVID-19 concerns, many local jurisdictions have put in place a stay-at home order, which allows only essential businesses to be open. } Other then that start checking connections down the line from the ignition switch for power. What this means for the families we serve and our employees: Please call us to let us know what’s going on with your vehicle and we will gladly do everything possible to get you back on the road! Auto Repair and Maintenance Shops are considered an essential service. Just as knowing when your spark plugs are failing is important, it’s equally important to be aware of the signs of a faulty ignition coil. Attach positive (red) lead of your voltmeter to the positive side of the coil, and the negative (black) lead to an engine ground. On a - negative ground system always connect this condenser to the HOT + Positive side of any electrical item. If you’re noticing your car struggling to start in the cold, it’s also a potential warning sign of ignition coils going faulty. .bookly-btn, Ignition coil issues are usually easy to detect due to the rather noticeable symptoms they produce. .bookly-form .picker__nav--prev:before { border-right: 6px solid #226db7!important; } .bookly-form input[type="password"].bookly-error, The high voltage output of the coil is directed to the appropriate spark plug by the distributor. /* Border */ As the light can be tripped by a wide variety of issues, it’s best to take your vehicle into a trusted mechanic, like AAMCO Colorado, to have the error codes read. .bookly-form-group > label, If the vehicle has conventional points, the green wire leading from the side of the distributor will go to the negative side of the coil. This is due to the fact that the ignition coil is the component tasked with the job of creating and delivering spark to the ignition distributor. Here's the primary reading on the new replacement GM Delco coil before I installed it. .bookly-columnizer .bookly-hour:hover .bookly-hour-icon span, if the points are CLOSED,you should have 0 or very little voltage at the negative side since all the voltage is dropped across the coil. How Can I Tell If My Radiator is Damaged? © 2021 Second Chance Garage, LLC. High resistance or open coil wire, or spark plug wire 4. All automobiles work on DC, or Direct Current. Simply put, the bottom line is without spark the engine doesn't run. Even if you find a bad coil, simply replacing it is not the whole repair, because like so many other parts of a vehicle, COP ignition coils don’t really die, they’re murdered. c. Most ignition systems work by switching the circuit to power the ignition coil's secondary windings. My Car Stalls When Stopped or Idling – What Do I Do? Switch the meter's resistance range to the 20K-ohm setting and attach the negative (black) meter lead to the center terminal of the coil. Defective pickup coil 6. The coil draws a voltage from the 12V battery, amplifies it, and sends it through to the spark plug. 07-10-11 05:17 PM - Post# 2112697 In response to malibujoel if the points are OPEN,you will have 12v on both sides of the coil. .bookly-columnizer .bookly-hour:hover .bookly-hour-icon { background: none; border: 2px solid #226db7!important; color: #226db7!important; }, The information contained in this website, or any of our content, videos, and publications is for general information purposes only. Weak ignition coil 2. Turn the ignition switch to the run position. The distributor connects all of the spark plug wires. One side of the ignition module 5 ( positive ) side of the spark-producer it the side closest the. Will turn over but wo n't start ever one does n't give power is the aftermarket coil that was my! 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