Coil Question

[will t]

Hi all, I have a brand new coil. The test light lights up on both the positive and the negative posts. It does not go out when the distributor is rotated away until the points close, which it is supposed to.

Full disclosure, I wired the points wrong one time (experimenting, like a dummy) and melted the wire from the condenser to the coil. It was smoking away until i ripped it free.

Ever since, I have no spark coming from the coil (and I tried a different coil also) and the test light lights up on both positive and negative on the coil with the ignition on. Also it does not light up connecting the clamp end to the negative and the pointy end on the positive, which I believe it is supposed to.

Any help getting some spark from the coil would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Will

[BarryL]

Have you installed a fresh condenser and points? Did you melt the ground wire in the distributor?

[will t]

[j.pickens]

[will t]

[will t]

I have a couple of working coils and am getting the same result from both. I have power from the ignition to the positive side of the coil. With a grounded test light, the negative side of the coil should light it up only when the points are open. It lights up all the time - points open or closed.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Will

ps maybe related, maybe not. I cannot get a coil to product a spark. Ideas?

[will t]

[blacka1vw]

For a quick test of the coil. With the key on take a jumper from ground and just quickly touch the negative side of the coil it should throw spark from the coil wire. Don’t leave ground connected. If it sparks you have a problem in the distributor system.
_________________
64 SC truck.
71 Beetle -Skyy
71 Super -Sweet pea
73 Bus
79 Bus -Tic Tak
86 Cabriolet

[will t]

[will t]

[blacka1vw]

Maybe grab a simple spark checker that’s available for cheap from your auto parts stores. Put that on the coil wire and ground the lead. Then do the ground on the coil for a one and count then pull the ground and it should spark when you remove the ground wire from coil negative. Only works if ya got a good 12v on the positive side and the coil is good.
_________________
64 SC truck.
71 Beetle -Skyy
71 Super -Sweet pea
73 Bus
79 Bus -Tic Tak
86 Cabriolet

[telford dorr]

Without a condenser in the circuit, you won't get much coil output.

Try this: completely unplug the green distributor from the coil (terminal 1). Connect a spare condenser from ground to coil terminal 1. With the key on, and using a jumper wire, momentarily ground coil terminal 1. When you subsequently un-ground the coil, you should get a nice fat spark from the coil secondary wire to ground. If you do, then the fault likely lies somewhere in the distributor.
_________________
'71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST)

[will t]

Thanks for the help everyone. I removed the electronic ignition that was in the bus (009 distributor) and installed a new regular set of points and a condenser, and the coil now fires fine.

Thanks again,

Will

[will t]

[telford dorr]

An orange spark is usually created by some type of contaminate burning in the arc. What you're interested in is the length of the spark. You need around 3/8 inch in free air.

If the starter cranks the engine, the ground strap isn't the problem. Check the voltage at the black wire on coil terminal 15.

Try a different condenser. Bosch is not known for quality these days...
_________________
'71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST)

[BarryL]

Have you checked the little braided ground wire in the distributor or does yours have that?