What does the coil do?

[nameless in nashville]

I am changing my name to frustrated in Nashville. I am finishing up on all the wiring and I am at the point that I think I understand what every wire does. We have EVERTYING hooked up, but I am not getting a spark to my spark plug, thought it was the coil, replaced it... still doesn't work. The power is good on the terminal for the coil, it's grounded, both the distributor and the coil. What actually happens to the coil to make it spark? Anyone have some trouble shooting ideas?<br />-Gerry

 

[fone_man]

Re: What does the coil do?

Gerry:<br /><br />Points have to open & close at proper gap to make coil generate the spark to ignite fuel in combustion chamber...<br /><br />or do you have electronic ignition in that monster... got to get that thing fixed as the Titan's are going to be playing this weekend!!!<br /><br />

 

[nameless in nashville]

Re: What does the coil do?

I got some tickets to the game too! I have to go to knoxville this weekend for a wedding, then shoot back early sunday to start tailgating. IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE! Love this time of year, but back on track... Electronic ignition would look like what? I have a regular key with 3 terminals, B S and I, The I is the line that runs to the positive end of the coil giving it power when the key is turned. The negative on the coil goes to the tachometer and also the distributor. Does this sound like electronic Ignition? <br />-Gerry

 

[fone_man]

Re: What does the coil do?

Man... have you been in the dist... under the cap, points/cond or elec ign.... my, I believe this just cost you a ticket to see the "fish" vs TITAN's!!!<br /><br /><br />I do not care what comes of key switch right now... let me know<br /><br />

 

[nameless in nashville]

Re: What does the coil do?

99% sure it's points.

 

[nameless in nashville]

Re: What does the coil do?

If I just took this thing into Auto Zone and said I wanted new points and condenser, would they be able to gap them properly and tell me what i'm doing wrong? Half the time I get a moron who can't read so I'm leary.<br />-Gerry

 

[fone_man]

Re: What does the coil do?

call me....<br /><br />

 

[JB]

Re: What does the coil do?

Howdy, Nameless. I must be blind. I have been through this thread end to end several times.<br /><br />What are you working on?? Is it on a boat??Is it inboard or outboard? What make? What year? What type ignition system??<br /><br />To answer the question in your title: The coil is a very high ratio step-up transformer. When the points are closed it stores energy in a magnetic field. When the points open it dumps this energy instantly onto the plug at anywhere from 12,000 to 50,000 volts.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[fone_man]

Re: What does the coil do?

Hey... JB...<br /><br />Will fill you in on it later... this Bayliner is on the way to my house to take a quick look at what he has got!!!<br /><br />Small world... "nameless in nashville" works with a dear friend of mine & is stopping by my part house to pick up some point/cond for it... we will find out what his problems are once he gets here.<br /><br />I will keep you posted....<br /><br />

 

[fone_man]

Re: What does the coil do?

JB...<br /><br />Gerry has got Mid 80's Bayliner @21' big boat... came w/Volvo 4 cyl... he has done a lot of mechanical work to it already...<br /><br />- Replaced Volvo 4 cyl w/5.7 GM (89 Model)<br />- Replaced Lower Unit Gears in Model 270<br />- Rewired the thing for Mercrusier engine<br /><br />He came by & has Mallory Dist, dist was not in time, pulled dist, set to TDC & reset dist. Needs to get points, cond, rotor & cap for starters & get his batteries charged back up before going any further. Still has a ways to go but eventually he will get it. He has power to coil & dist but it looks like points & cond have been sitting up & shot!!! Batteries have been drain via trying to start without being in time... If you read this "nameless in nashville", do not forget to pick up a good battery charger!!!<br /><br />So I am going to send him an email with parts list to get him started!!! He should be on the water before you know it!!!<br /><br />

 

[JB]

Re: What does the coil do?

Thanks, Krose. I will follow the thread and put in $.02 now and then.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[nameless in nashville]

Re: What does the coil do?

Well at least your talking positively! I got back and played with it some more, it's still not getting juice to the plugs but the coil is getting red hot. I hooked up both batterries and tightened the grounds on both of the batteries and they were both pretty juiced up and ready to turn, but still no electricity to the plugs. What tickles me is everything is getting juice that should be! Hopefully I'll get this puppy in the water. Thanks for the help and keep ALL the suggestions coming. Where do the points and the condenser get there power from? If the cap is off and only a ground is run to the distributor, where is the juice coming from? well fhone man, I look forward to more comments and the list of parts!<br />-Gerry

 

[fone_man]

Re: What does the coil do?

Points are probably gounding out... they are shot as I explained earlier... they are not making contact!!! Be patient... parts list is already gone & should be at your "puter" NOW along with suggested tools/test equipment.<br /><br />Call Jeff in AM & if he has any questions have him call me... give him my number. I will drop other parts back to him in AM.<br /><br />Let me know when you get other parts... OK!!!<br /><br />

 

[jstooks1]

Re: What does the coil do?

Just had to say " GO VOLS "<br /><br />hope you figured it out , good luck from a fellow VOL