VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Testing a 6 volt coil

Hi... how do you test if a 6 volt coil is good??? Do you need special equipment??? Thanks... Marcellin

Marcellin,
I don't know if this is covered in the service manual or not. I'll have to look. But, if you need to test it right away so you can go do some more shopping, here's a quick way that we use down here: (It's a nine step process)

First, make sure you have juice to the coil.

Second, make sure you have a juice to the distributor.

Third, make sure that the points are breaking.

Fourth, make sure that the coil wire to the distributor cap is in place and everything buttoned up.

Fifth, make sure that all spark plug wires are in place (actually you need only one, but you need for everything to look right).

Sixth, make sure you battery is charged up.

Seventh, have your buddy Homer (or someone) ready to crank the engine over.

Eight, pull a spark plug wire. Then say to your barefoot buddy Billy Bob (or whoever), "Hey, Billy Bob, I need yor help here. Hang on to the end of this here loose spark plug wire a minute for me whilst I fetch a spark plug wrench. I don't think this sucker is tight enough."

Ninth (and last step), ease back and signal Homer to crank her over.

From Billy Joe's reaction or lack thereof, you will know right away if the coil is good or not. Works every time.
Glad to help,
Charlie

BTW: Everybody has a Billy Bob around. There is a even a pleathra (for folk in TN, that means "a heap") of them around here.

ya got me chuckling. thanks, mike

While Charlie's method will surely work it requires two buddies (or former buddies) to preform. And if you substitute the "BOSS" for one of your buddies then it can be really painful.

It can be done with a single person if necessary. The first three steps are the same. Skip to step six. Step seven: Now remove the distributor cap if it is not still removed from step three. Step eight: Take the coil wire from the top of the distributor and hold the end ~1/2 inch from the block or other grounded metal part. Step nine: open and close the points. If you get a spark across the ~1/2 inch gap that makes a "snap" sound then the coil, points and wiring up to the coil are all okay. If you get a weak spark then check the points first to see if they are clean. If you short across them with and get a noticeably stronger spark than opening an closing they need to be cleaned or replaced. A weak spark at the points gives a weak or intermittent spark elsewhere.

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

You may check the above site also.
Charlie

Best one yet Charlie - Thanks!!

Jim.

Here in OHIO we are pretty much "DRY"..or in N.C. lingo "PLUM OUT" of Billy Bobs. It seems they have all put their mattress on top of their cars and moved to North Carolina to get out of the snow...ED

regarding the link you supplied, how or where do I find the resistance specifications for the primary and secondary windings??? my shop manual has almost nothing on coils... Thanks everyone... Marcellin