Testing Ignition Coils

[Kane]

Anyone, know where or how I can test my ignition coils to see if they are working up to par, I don't have any volt meters or fancy test devices though.

[632 Regal]

sounds like you need new coils then.

pull them while connected and see if the plug fires when grounded?

most the ohm and voltage tests arent perfectly sound and when you isolate it to the coild its probably replacement time.

[Kane]

How do I fire while grounded? I understand that might be a stupid question but, I'm kind of a newbie! I have a feeling that one is bad, because there was a lot of oil in that plug cylinder (valve cover gasket, replacing tomorrow).


sounds like you need new coils then.

pull them while connected and see if the plug fires when grounded?

most the ohm and voltage tests arent perfectly sound and when you isolate it to the coild its probably replacement time.

[WarrenBrown]

The oil is a result of the V-Cover, it could also be shorting the plug so it doesn't fire. Work on one problem at a time. When I had a problem with the coils in a 92 525i, the tested OK with a ohmmeter. After a while I ended up turning the coil upside down one at a time and fitting another plug so that I could see the electrode. After grounding the plug with a jumper wire I started the engine on 5 cylinders and watched the spark in open air. I did this for each cylinder and thought I noticed a slight difference in the spark in one coils. After replacing the coil the problem went away.

I was afraid to start the car with a coil disconnect for fear of damage to the motronic unit.

Warren
91 318is
95 525iT