There are two methods of testing ignition coils: shorting a spark plug or using a multimeter. The multimeter test is more accurate as it can test both primary and secondary windings. A weak coil can cause engine problems, and testing with a multimeter can reveal any issues.
There are two basic methods of testing ignition coils: the coil on the vehicle and the coil outside the vehicle. The most common method used by backyard mechanics involves shorting a spark plug in the engine or chassis and cranking the engine. If there is spark, the coil is good. The most accurate method involves the use of a multimeter. By using this method, the primary and secondary windings can be tested. While the first method is a basic go/no-go test, it does not indicate the condition of the coil, while the second test does.
An ignition coil is made up of the primary and secondary wire windings. The primary winding supplies the electrical charge from the vehicle’s electrical system to the coil. The secondary winding carries the electrical charge from the coil to the distributor or spark plug. When testing the ignition coils, it is possible to have some spark; however, the spark may not be enough to fire the plugs under compression conditions. This is why the multimeter test is superior to the shadow tree method for grounding a spark plug to the engine or chassis.
To check the condition of the primary winding, the terminals of the multimeter must be touched with the positive and negative poles of the coil. The reading should be compared to the recommended readings found in the operations manual for the particular vehicle. Any variation from the recommended reading is a sign that the coil needs to be replaced. When testing the condition of the secondary winding, the multimeter’s leads should be placed on one of the outer posts, as well as on the center post where the coil lead is connected. The reading should be checked again with the recommended reading found in the manual and the coil replaced if there is any variation.
The reason testing the ignition coils is important when diagnosing a malfunctioning vehicle engine is that a weak electrical charge emanating from the coil can cause the engine to run roughly, lack power, or get very little power. fuel. Often a weak coil will pass the shadow tree test method, but will lack sufficient spark power to ignite the fuel mixture correctly. Using a multimeter, the coils can be checked against a known number and any differences will show up clearly.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
