The Ford Barn

Cape Codder · 08-09-2018, 08:38 PM

I have seen several times on this Forum to pull the coil wire out to check for a Spark. They usually go on to say you should have a nice blue spark approx. 1/2" long. So my question is if I don't have a strong spark should the Coill be changed or........?

Thanks for any advice or help!

1955cj5 · 08-09-2018, 09:48 PM

I had also read about checking the coil...

I finally got around to checking it and my old coil had a weak yellow spark barely 1/4" long..

I replaced the coil and re-tested and I had a hot blue 1/2" or greater spark...big difference.

I think it runs much better now.

I only changed the coil, everything else remained the same.

The old coil is now my spare....

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-09-2018, 10:48 PM

You need to study the BASIC, SIMPLE ignition system to UNDERSTAND HOW it works, then you can do basic, simple tests.
Bill W.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 08-09-2018, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1955cj5

I had also read about checking the coil...

I finally got around to checking it and my old coil had a weak yellow spark barely 1/4" long..

The old coil is now my spare....

Toss it and buy a new good one, they are cheap. Your old one is failing and may not even get you a few miles down the road.
A bad condenser can have the same symptoms.

old31 · 08-10-2018, 05:08 AM

x2 with chuck

A few weeks a go I had the same symptoms, changed the condenser and it was fixed.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-10-2018, 09:15 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

One of our Guys has a GREAT website for learning. I "think" it's MODELABASICS.COM
Bill W.

katy · 08-10-2018, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

You need to study the BASIC, SIMPLE ignition system to UNDERSTAND HOW it works, then you can do basic, simple tests.
Bill W.

Ditto

08-09-2018, 08:38 PM	#1
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,261	Checking Spark I have seen several times on this Forum to pull the coil wire out to check for a Spark. They usually go on to say you should have a nice blue spark approx. 1/2" long. So my question is if I don't have a strong spark should the Coill be changed or........? Thanks for any advice or help!

08-09-2018, 09:48 PM	#2
1955cj5 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,578	Re: Checking Spark I had also read about checking the coil... I finally got around to checking it and my old coil had a weak yellow spark barely 1/4" long.. I replaced the coil and re-tested and I had a hot blue 1/2" or greater spark...big difference. I think it runs much better now. I only changed the coil, everything else remained the same. The old coil is now my spare.... __________________ Early '29 CCPU that had a 4-speed, but not any more.......in the family since '62

08-09-2018, 10:48 PM	#3
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Checking Spark You need to study the BASIC, SIMPLE ignition system to UNDERSTAND HOW it works, then you can do basic, simple tests. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

08-10-2018, 05:08 AM	#5
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,094	Re: Checking Spark x2 with chuck A few weeks a go I had the same symptoms, changed the condenser and it was fixed.

08-10-2018, 09:15 AM	#6
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Checking Spark Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) One of our Guys has a GREAT website for learning. I "think" it's MODELABASICS.COM Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"