Coil pack testing? How to?

[nimrod.sixty9]

How do I test a coil? Cant I test the resistance to see if its good or not? What resistance? I have a multimeter and know how to use it but I dont know what to connect to. Im guessing point to ground.

2000 -Bird -3.8

[99pewterv6]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

Not sure how to test, maybe from a post to the bottom slit connection. I read in my factory repair manuals that it should be 5k to 8k ohm.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

5k to 8k? Thats some gap! Im shure not all of them can be bad. Ill try that, and see if I can get some consistent readings, and then Ill know if Im doing it right! Thanks for the info!

[bigbrian442]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

The coil can be bad and ohm out fine. If the coil is firing to ground through the plastic case, usually on the bottom. The black coils get a little white mark where they burn through and fire to the mounting bracket.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

The coil can be bad and ohm out fine. If the coil is firing to ground through the plastic case, usually on the bottom. The black coils get a little white mark where they burn through and fire to the mounting bracket.

Well other than the white mark. How do I test them to see if they are any good?

I was told by more than one person that a coil maybe going bad. Because my car misses around 45MPH and only while warm.

[bigbrian442]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

Do you get a miss fire code in the PCM? If so I would change that coil first.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

No codes.... Maybe misfire is not the correct word... More like missing spark everyso often. I dont know if that is the same.

The only codes I ever got was EGR, but never threw an SES when it was missing.

[lookout4theyeti]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

Get a haynes manual, it tells you the ohm's that it should range between. Thats how I determined mine were bad, but I don't have my book here at school or else I'd post them for you.

Maybe someone else on here has the book and can give you the range?

Only other way I know of is to disconnect one plug wire from the coils at a time. If it sparks, its good. If it doesn't, then it's bad.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

Get a haynes manual, it tells you the ohm's that it should range between. Thats how I determined mine were bad, but I don't have my book here at school or else I'd post them for you.

Maybe someone else on here has the book and can give you the range?

Only other way I know of is to disconnect one plug wire from the coils at a time. If it sparks, its good. If it doesn't, then it's bad.

Like I said, it only misses here and there. So just testing the spark would be a waste of time. 99pewterv6 says he has the factory repair manual, so I think he has listed the correct ohms. My question now is how do I test them, what do I connect to, hot or cold? LOL basicaly how... Thanks!

[lookout4theyeti]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

Like I said, it only misses here and there. So just testing the spark would be a waste of time. 99pewterv6 says he has the factory repair manual, so I think he has listed the correct ohms. My question now is how do I test them, what do I connect to, hot or cold? LOL basicaly how... Thanks!

Well like I said, testing the spark is another way to check that the coils are working. As far as testing them with an ohm meter, IIRC, theirs two different bridges that you have to test, and I don't remember the exact directions.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

Well like I said, testing the spark is another way to check that the coils are working. As far as testing them with an ohm meter, IIRC, theirs two different bridges that you have to test, and I don't remember the exact directions.

I dont even know what you mean by bridges. But if you find more info, please post. Im about to go on a trip to TN...

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

TTT

Still wondering about this...

[Crazed98Camaro]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

scanners down, so i took a picture



Its on the left. If you cant read it, it says:

Use an Ohmmeter and check secondary resistance in each coil pack. See 7.10 Resistance should be 5,000 to 6,500 Ohms
Next check Primary resistance in each coil pack. See 7.11 Resistance should be .3 to .6 Ohms.
(On 98 and V8 engines, if there is a trigger signal at the coil, but no spark at the coil, then the coils are faulty.)


All numbers are for a 3800 engine. Let me know if you need them for a 3.4

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

You are the MAN! Thank you!

Ill have to wait till later to check it out! Ill post my findings!

[zlexiss]

Re: Coil pack testing? How to?

Start the car, lick the coil tower leads. If your head doesn't hit the hood, it's bad.