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Thread: Testing Ignition Coils

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    15

    Default Testing Ignition Coils

    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.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Eastern Tennessee USi
    Posts
    14,839

    Default

    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.
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    15

    Default

    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).

    Quote Originally Posted by 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.

  4. #4

    Default

    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

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