How to test a coil

[cuda_dude]

anyone know how to test a coil?

[G.A.S.]

what type of coil, what is it off of please

[cuda_dude]

97 gmc sierra, vortech 350

[G.A.S.]

This testing procedure is valid for just about any automotive coil. Using an ohmmeter, check the resistance between the side terminals of the coil. Do this with all of the wires to the coil disconnected.


You should see 0.75 to 0.81 ohm of resistance. Then check the resistance between either side terminal and the center high tension terminal. The reading should be 10,000 to 11,000 ohms. Any significant deviation from these numbers would indicate that the coil is defective.
You can also test an ignition by using a volt meter.There should be a little over 12 volts pulse,or a dip and peak in the meter needle,rather than a steady 12 volts,at the output,while cranking the engine

[cuda_dude]

Ok I think I'm doing this right.... prong to prong under the 200 ohm setting im getting .5 and from prong to main to prong under the 20k setting im getting 5.05

[G.A.S.]

[cuda_dude]

primary was .5 under the 200 setting and secondary was 5.05 under the 20k setting

[cuda_dude]

are those numbers standard numbers or just for that model? I have my old Camaro coil and its numbers are .6 primary(200 setting) and .796 secondary(20k setting).