Many car owners are familiar with checking the battery, oil, and air filters, but may not be aware of how to test the car’s ignition coil. This article will teach you how to do this with a multimeter and explain the common causes of Failure/s in an ignition coil.
What is a multimeter?
A multimeter is an electronic device that measures electrical resistance. It can be used to test car ignition coils.
How to use a multimeter to test car ignition coils
If your car won’t start, or you’ve replaced the ignition coil, checking for a short can help determine the problem. Here’s how to do it with a multimeter:
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Check the continuity between each lead of the coil connector and ground (the metal body of the car).
3. If there is a short, the multimeter will read as open circuits. Replace the ignition coil if you find a short.
What are the common problems with car ignition coils?
One of the most common problems with car ignition coils is a dead battery. If the battery is not able to provide enough power to the starter, the car will not start. Faulty coils can also cause hesitation or even stalls when attempting to start the car. In order to test your ignition coil, you’ll need a multimeter. Check for continuity between each terminal and across the coil. Be sure to ground the multimeter against the metal frame of the car before testing. Continuity should be good across all terminals, with no open circuits. If there are any open circuits, your coil may need to be replaced.
How to fix car ignition coils with a multimeter
If your car is not starting, there is a good chance that the ignition coil is not working. This is a relatively easy fix, and can be done with a multimeter.
To test the ignition coil, first find the car’s fuse box. The fuse box will generally be near the engine. Once you have located the fuse box, look for the “Ignition” fuse. This fuse should be a 20 amp type, and should be located close to the battery.
Connect your multimeter to the “Ignition” fuse, and turn it on. Next, connect one lead to the “hot” (or black) wire in the coil, and the other lead to ground (the metal frame of the car). Now measure how much voltage is present at the multimeter. If the coil is bad, there will be very little or no voltage at all present. If the coil is working properly, there should be around 12 volts present.