Checking The Ignition System

[Tom Skinner]

Gents,

I came across this in the "Facts about Volts, Amps, and Ohms" Service Reference Book Vol.1, No. 6 Dated 1948, and thought it was worded so well I wanted to share it.

To check the ignition system:

"Disconnect the primary wire from the distributor and connect the test Ammeter into the circuit - between the wire and the terminal.With the points closed, ignition switch on, there should be a reading of from 4 to 5 amperes on the Ammeter; with the points open there should be no reading at the Ammeter. If there is a reading with the points open, the condenser is leaking and should be replaced, or there is a grounded connection in the distributor.

If there is less than a 4-amp discharge reading on the Ammeter with the points closed, disconnect the Ammeter lead from the distributor terminal and ground it. If the Ammeter reading is still below normal the trouble is probably in the coil. The coil should be replaced. If the reading becomes normal with the lead grounded, the trouble is in the breaker points (they are pitted or burned)".

Well there you have it, and if your an electrical dummy like me - you can still understand this.

A simple way to check the ignition system.

I have been working on cars 40 years and it doesn't seem to get any better than this explanation.

Tom

 

[Niel Hoback]

  Thanks, Tom, thats something even I can understand. I printed it and its going to the shop manual.

[Tom Skinner]

Thanks Niel!

[countrytravler]

Good topic. No matter how long you have worked on cars, their is always a new way on learning to diag problems.