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No spark / coil? 200 1986

After a previous no spark was diagnosed as a bad ignition control unit I was able to buy a used one from a wrecked 85. Plugged it in and fired right up(after correcting a vacuum leak). Took the car out for spin around the block. After about 3/4 mile died as in no spark as opposed to sputtered as in no fuel. Trying to recrank I can hear fuel pump running. With timing light I confirm no spark on wire from coil to distributor. Test of electrical confirms power to coil terminal 1 to ground. Power to Hall sensor terminal A at distributor. Jumping terminal B&C on connector to Hall sensor turns on fuel pump and injectors click but no spark to any plugs. Coil resistance is 1.5 ohm from term 1 to 15 (1.1 to 1.3 spec.) and 11,850 from term 1 to center tower (9,600 to 11,600 spec). Is this far enough out of spec to not give spark? I'm guessing hall sensor is not problem because I get fuel pump when cranking and when jumping the connector from the ICU although I do need to replace the broken hall sensor plastic connetor.








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    No spark / coil? 200 1986

    Hmmm, I see everybody is jumping all over this one! Looking ar your readings they are not that far out of "spec" and, while the coil might be getting long in the tooth, it probably should fire. You can make a quick check by disconnecting the coil, attaching a wire from the negative side of the coil to negative on the battery. Attach another wire to the positive coil terminal. Secure the coil hi-tension lead close (maybe 1/8" or so) to a grounded metal object and touch the wire hooked to the positive of the coil to positive on the battery for a split second. A spark should be generated when the wire is removed from the battery.

    How a coil works is when the points are closed (or wire attached to battery like in the test) a magnetic field builds in the primary coil windings. When the points open, the magnetic field collapses and generates a high voltage in the secondary coil windings.

    The above example referred to "points" but an electronic ignition is similar, think of the hall sensor and ignition amp as the points...

    Justin B.
    83 244 Turbo







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