How do I test my canister type coil?

Tiny
CRAIG JASTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1972 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
I just got this engine put together and installed on my sand rail. It started right up and ran decent as I was working on setting the distributor timing, it stalled and would not start back up. I replaced the points with a hall effect electronic distributor when I put it together. Somehow I have lost spark while the engine was running. Is there a way to test the coil before I go buy a new one or do I replace it and see what happens?
Saturday, February 25th, 2012 AT 2:56 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
See how far you get with this:

This circuit is with breaker points, but you have a control module somewhere now that takes the place of the points. The Hall Effect switch lives where the points used to be inside the distributor, but they only trigger the module. It's the module that switches the ignition coil's current on and off like the points used to do. The coil part of the circuit is the same, so I think this page will help with testing.
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Saturday, February 25th, 2012 AT 3:52 AM

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