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To test the ignition coil connect the ohmmeter's two test leads to the coils primary terminals (+ and -). Most coils should read between 0.4 and 2 ohms. Zero resistance would indicate a shorted coil while a high resistance reading would indicate an open coil.
Considering this, how do you check a coil with a multimeter?
Test the coil with a multimeter. Disconnect the coil pack's electrical connector then remove the coil pack from your car's engine using a wrench. Set the ohmmeter/multimeter to 200 ohms range then turn it on. Using a meter lead, attach the spark plug wire terminal to each coil.
- Turn off the motorcycle ignition.
- Disconnect the spark plug wires from the coil by hand.
- Measure the resistance between the coil connections for the spark plugs with an ohmmeter.
- Measure the resistance between the two smaller primary wire connections on the coil with an ohmmeter.
Similarly one may ask, how do I know if my coil has power?
Locate the positive or power wire attached to the engine coil. Check for power using a test light. If this wire has no power, then your ignition coil is not receiving current. You should check the wiring from your ignition switch to the coil for breaks in the wire and repair them.
Common Symptoms of a Faulty Coil Pack
- A rough idle.
- An unexplainably louder-than-usual engine.
- A noticeable lack of power.
- A significant drop in RPMs while accelerating for no apparent reason.
- A blinking or intermittently activating check engine light.
- An active gas warning light when the vehicle has plenty of gasoline.