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.
I am delighted these videos are available. Car electrical components are rather confusing to remember when they are not directly incorporated into daily activities.
Super explanation. But, not everything is shown to the viewer.: Where do you get the 12v to charge the coil? What is the other end of the alligator clip attached to? How does the cylinder head (the thing the coil wire is rubber banded to) get it's ground if it is needed at all? If you already know how to check an ignition coil, it's a no brainer. But to someone who doesn't understand, this is barely a clue. Too bad because this is a superb video. And, if you burn your car to the ground using this method, you should have considered the smell of gas before creating a spark.
Just because it produces a spark doesn't necessarily mean the coil is good for its intended application. This test tells you the coil can produce a spark, but it may well be too weak to be effective in firing the plugs. You need a fat strong spark and further testing would be required to determine this.
@@roblostandlate4408 hi Rob, I'm puzzled as to buying/replacing an old ignition coil i currently have. I am not sure as to what ignition coil i am after for a 302 Clevland( 76 ZH Fairlane). Any chance you could help me out?
Moss... more like Bob ROSS. Has his narration voice. "Next we're going to test our good friend, the ignition coil. Oh good, it works. It's a very happy coil, helping to send gasoline and air mixtures on their way to move us down the happy road." "We're going to put our friend back in his home under the hood where he waits to be energized at the start of a new wonderful day."
i have found an old weak coil will still test ok in open air and simply not have the power to run the engine at anything above an idle esecially when warm.. a good coil should jump at least a half in gap in open air..remember it takes a strong spark to run modern engines under load
sparkplug wires act like a resistor and theres one in the spark plug to i was thinking about getting rid of them in my car with resistorless sparkplug and some insulated high voltage wire and a capacitor so the plug dosent burn and gives a higher intesity spark and a a map sensor enhancer to see if i get better fuel mileage
Get any jolts from the back emf from the coli on the croc clip you're holding? More likely when you're leaning over the front of your car. Maybe worth mentioning holding by an insulated part of the wire. Just an observation from experience :-D
🤔 Did Bob Ross move on from art lessons to auto mechanics? 😄 oh here we have a happy coil, and some happy wires giving life to happy happy little plugs 😊
this happens to my car..when its warm after a run then i start it again i say 6 mins later its hard to start..i have to wait a bit to cool it off or just keep trying to start it..replacing now..the old now still looks like its new when i took it out had it for about 2+ years and i drive a lot..also notice the rpm seems weak and i feel like the car is going to die on me while driving which happen to me on the freeway once and dont want it to happen again..good thing i was in slow lane
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?
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?
I have a 1980 MGB. When I measure the output of my coil my multimeter says it's only 5 volts. Shouldn't the output be about 40k? My car will not start. The ohm measure on my amplifier is about 2.5k. My rotor and distributor cap looks fine. Each side of the coil has about 12 volts. Any ideas?
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?
Hi all, i have a 302 Cleveland ( 76 ZH Fairlane) i would like to replace the old ignition coil. Would anyone know by chance what specific specs i need to change out my old one? I seemed to have jumped the gun and have purchased a 16v coil needing a ballast. Unsure what resistance yet? Also,i have read something about "points" is this applicable to my car being old?i think so? Please confirm if possible? Thanks.
When I do this test on all my coils, I connect the + battery to the + coil terminal, and I touch the test lead from the +negative terminal to the ground.. I get tons of spark between the test lead to the ground... I fact, I practically weld the test lead to the ground and have to yank it away, like grounding a battery.... but I get NO SPARK out the secondary coil output to a sparkplug to the ground..., WHAT IS GOING ON? DOES PHYSICS JUST WORK DIFFERENT IN MY PART OF THE UNIVERSE?
can someone point me to where I can learn how to add a keyed ignition switch to my bike's ignition coil? I have an old xr500 that is just a kickstart and go, which is worrisome for parking places...
Ok, I got my coil to spark. You primary will spark and well itself, you have to brush real fast, and look real close at the spark plug to see the faint spark.
This video does NOT correctly depict how a coil works. In a breaker points system, the "condenser" across the points forms a very important component, and in fact, most engines will not start or run without a good condenser (capacitor). To properly test a coil, and see if it produces a decent spark, a proper cap should be hooked in--from the points side of the coil to ground. The coil's magnetic field gives up it's energy by charging up the cap, and they trade energy (flywheel)
just to let the folks know... my brother got shocked shitless messing with his coil when the car was running... he accidentally touched it and made a sound like blll blll bll ball blll ball blll bllll as the engine slowly wound down to a stop. be careful!
I normally like content from this CZcamsr but this video is poorly done. "Put a jumper lead on there" What is a jumper lead, and where is the "there"??
It’s so unfortunate that ALL auto ignition coil test CZcams videos except one demonstrate the test with the coil DETACHED from the car. The solitary one that does is so unclear and brief (to the non-professional) that is it incomprehensible. A pity.
Just buy a coil buy a distributor buy a carburetor buy new spark plugs , or a battery if its shit, and youre car will run, unless youve cooked it or damaged the internals
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
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.
I am delighted these videos are available. Car electrical components are rather confusing to remember when they are not directly incorporated into daily activities.
Super explanation. But, not everything is shown to the viewer.: Where do you get the 12v to charge the coil? What is the other end of the alligator clip attached to? How does the cylinder head (the thing the coil wire is rubber banded to) get it's ground if it is needed at all? If you already know how to check an ignition coil, it's a no brainer. But to someone who doesn't understand, this is barely a clue. Too bad because this is a superb video. And, if you burn your car to the ground using this method, you should have considered the smell of gas before creating a spark.
i wish i could see the top of the coil and where u put all the wires?
Thanks I forgot about this trick I`d sure like to download this so I don`t lose your good advice.
That's what I'm talking about! Down home simple testing procedure for testing a coil!!! Masterful! Thank You!!! Dennis.
Just because it produces a spark doesn't necessarily mean the coil is good for its intended application. This test tells you the coil can produce a spark, but it may well be too weak to be effective in firing the plugs. You need a fat strong spark and further testing would be required to determine this.
+wigs1098 You should test with a multimeter, .6 - .8 ohms primary, and 12 - 20 ohms secondary.
@@roblostandlate4408 hi Rob, I'm puzzled as to buying/replacing an old ignition coil i currently have. I am not sure as to what ignition coil i am after for a 302 Clevland( 76 ZH Fairlane). Any chance you could help me out?
You can't see any of the connections to replicate this video.
Or in fact understand what he's talking about - and this is the first video if you search for testing ignition coil.
Totally. The Bob Ross of Automotive Mechanics.
Moss... more like Bob ROSS. Has his narration voice. "Next we're going to test our good friend, the ignition coil. Oh good, it works. It's a very happy coil, helping to send gasoline and air mixtures on their way to move us down the happy road." "We're going to put our friend back in his home under the hood where he waits to be energized at the start of a new wonderful day."
Can you explain more details about how you wire it next time PLEASE!!!!
I would love to see how the connection goes....
i have found an old weak coil will still test ok in open air and simply not have the power to run the engine at anything above an idle esecially when warm.. a good coil should jump at least a half in gap in open air..remember it takes a strong spark to run modern engines under load
This mans's voice is epic!
Good Video...So if there is NO Spark, at the Plugs it could be that the Points are NOT OPENING??? Am I correct???
thanks this i have to try i been trying to see why my coil wont fire on a beetle 72 ,no secondary output at all ? thanks for sharing this it may help
sparkplug wires act like a resistor and theres one in the spark plug to i was thinking about getting rid of them in my car with resistorless sparkplug and some insulated high voltage wire and a capacitor so the plug dosent burn and gives a higher intesity spark and a a map sensor enhancer to see if i get better fuel mileage
Get any jolts from the back emf from the coli on the croc clip you're holding?
More likely when you're leaning over the front of your car.
Maybe worth mentioning holding by an insulated part of the wire.
Just an observation from experience :-D
Nice one just the job, the coil on my Triumph Spitfire 1500 is working :)
This just saved my bacon!
What is the ground circuit connected to (at coil) and what is ground (not soil right)?
As long as it was replaced with an appropriate ballasted or non-ballasted coil then everything else will be fine.
Why oh why is there no CZcams video that tells us how to test the VOLTAGE of a coil??
🤔 Did Bob Ross move on from art lessons to auto mechanics?
😄 oh here we have a happy coil, and some happy wires giving life to happy happy little plugs 😊
lol!
this happens to my car..when its warm after a run then i start it again i say 6 mins later its hard to start..i have to wait a bit to cool it off or just keep trying to start it..replacing now..the old now still looks like its new when i took it out had it for about 2+ years and i drive a lot..also notice the rpm seems weak and i feel like the car is going to die on me while driving which happen to me on the freeway once and dont want it to happen again..good thing i was in slow lane
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?
Would there be any problem if ignition coil be replace with different model?
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?
I was able to replicate this test. I did have to consult my dad so I could get everything grounded properly, but the test worked.
A coil can fire but at speed the coil if damaged will studder and misfire due to an internal short.
@MrAss707 of course man...
he's talking like he's in a library soft and smooth
he smooked too much weed
Videouploader248 how do you smooke weed ,I never tried that before😎
ask Moss Motors he knows :D
In the video do yo have the coils connected directly to a 12 volt battery (+ battery to + coli and - battery to - coil????
But my distributor has no points, its a pro comp disteibutor, what one do i plug to
I have a 1980 MGB. When I measure the output of my coil my multimeter says it's only 5 volts. Shouldn't the output be about 40k? My car will not start. The ohm measure on my amplifier is about 2.5k. My rotor and distributor cap looks fine. Each side of the coil has about 12 volts. Any ideas?
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?
Hi all, i have a 302 Cleveland ( 76 ZH Fairlane) i would like to replace the old ignition coil. Would anyone know by chance what specific specs i need to change out my old one? I seemed to have jumped the gun and have purchased a 16v coil needing a ballast. Unsure what resistance yet? Also,i have read something about "points" is this applicable to my car being old?i think so? Please confirm if possible? Thanks.
only if you have points. If you have the wrong resistance you could burn out an ignition module. It's not a complete test.
it doesn't have a secondary winding, it's an auto-transformer, similar principle but technically wrong.
can any body pls tell me what a ignition coil constructed out of, thanks
When I do this test on all my coils, I connect the + battery to the + coil terminal, and I touch the test lead from the +negative terminal to the ground.. I get tons of spark between the test lead to the ground... I fact, I practically weld the test lead to the ground and have to yank it away, like grounding a battery.... but I get NO SPARK out the secondary coil output to a sparkplug to the ground..., WHAT IS GOING ON? DOES PHYSICS JUST WORK DIFFERENT IN MY PART OF THE UNIVERSE?
I tried this and my car caught on fire and burnt to the ground
technoviking1975 eberhart lol
Bet you won't do that again
But at least you have a good coil......or had.
difficult to see the connections here at the video is dark and also the wired are all black.
can someone point me to where I can learn how to add a keyed ignition switch to my bike's ignition coil? I have an old xr500 that is just a kickstart and go, which is worrisome for parking places...
Ok, I got my coil to spark. You primary will spark and well itself, you have to brush real fast, and look real close at the spark plug to see the faint spark.
This video does NOT correctly depict how a coil works. In a breaker points system, the "condenser" across the points forms a very important component, and in fact, most engines will not start or run without a good condenser (capacitor). To properly test a coil, and see if it produces a decent spark, a proper cap should be hooked in--from the points side of the coil to ground. The coil's magnetic field gives up it's energy by charging up the cap, and they trade energy (flywheel)
Why not just use an ohmmeter?
just to let the folks know... my brother got shocked shitless messing with his coil when the car was running... he accidentally touched it and made a sound like blll blll bll ball blll ball blll bllll as the engine slowly wound down to a stop. be careful!
go the datsun head in the back round !
now if only my brain coil was firing properly....
just go to his page and hit play all, than set it to loop...
Battery+, wire, coil+
coil-, wire, battery-
= Spart to battery- from coil.
could be
I normally like content from this CZcamsr but this video is poorly done. "Put a jumper lead on there" What is a jumper lead, and where is the "there"??
Any mechanic would know what he is talking about. Jumper lead is a wire with alligator clips on both ends. And there is any metal that is grounded.
@taylorrandy77 I'm not a mechanic and you've underscored my point
It’s so unfortunate that ALL auto ignition coil test CZcams videos except one demonstrate the test with the coil DETACHED from the car. The solitary one that does is so unclear and brief (to the non-professional) that is it incomprehensible. A pity.
we know how a coil works, just explain how to test it man
to less explanation (for me), are you in a hurry? That's not MOSS style ...
I can't stand the videos that take 5:00 to say what he just did in under a minute. You can always pause it if you get lost.
Just buy a coil buy a distributor buy a carburetor buy new spark plugs , or a battery if its shit, and youre car will run, unless youve cooked it or damaged the internals
Why is he whispering?
Horrible video, watching this on smartphone is very difficult. Not enough lighting. Very frustrating to watch.
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