??? on testing my coils

[jimmy1587]

I have a 1988 200 Johnson , Model # j200STLCCM. Tryin to test my coils guys. Wondering if that could be done with a OHM meter for better accuracy, and what that precedure would be. Just replaced my power pack and want to be on the safe side.

 

[MCM]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

Hi Jimmy, <br /><br />You might find this article handy.<br /><br /> http://outboardparts.com/omc/troubleshooting/trublshtinghlp.htm <br /><br />Still lots of good advice to be had here though.<br /><br />I'm still goin' through ign. issues, 'bout got them nailed down I think<br /><br />Mike

 

[jimmy1587]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

Thanks Mike. I appreciate the web page , will come in handy. If you come across anything that will help please help. <br />Thanks again.

 

[MCM]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

Jimmy,<br /><br />There's some instructions on building a spark tester on this link by Joe Reeves, try that<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=029539#000004 <br /><br />Good Luck,<br />Mike

 

[Solittle]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

If you have a cylinder that is getting weak or no spark one easy way to check the coil is to swap it with one on a cylinder that you know is firing properly. If the problem follows the coil - - - - - -

 

[jimmy1587]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

My question is , will a bad coil burn up the power pack. If so is there a more accurate test other than a spark test.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

(Magneto Capacitance Discharge Coils)- (Yours)<br /><br />Check the continuity of the ignition coils. Remove the primary orange wire from whatever it's connected to. It may be connected to a powerpack screw type terminal, a rubber plug connector, or it may simply plug onto a small boss terminal of the coil itself.<br /><br />Connect the black lead of a ohm meter to the spark plug boot terminal, then with the red ohm meter lead, touch the ground of the coil or the powerhead itself if the coil is still installed.<br /><br />Then touch (still with the red lead) the orange wire if it's attached to the coil, or if it's not attached, touch the primary stud of the coil. You should get a reading on both touches (contacts). If not, check the spring terminal inside the rubber boots of the spark plug wire. Poor or no continuity of a coil is one reason for s/plug fouling.

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

Service manuals do not mention that bad coils can cause power packs to go bad.<br /><br />Coils do not have meter test that can be run to prove or disprove their workabilty.<br /><br />Only thing coils do is take voltage from powerpack and are suposed to step it up to around 30000 volts to fire plugs.<br /><br />Coils have three possible stages. Good...will jump a 1/2 inch gap with snappy sounding blue spark.<br /><br />Marginal will jump a small gap and have a yellow weak sounding fire.<br /><br />And dead...nothing at all, even tho power pack is sending voltage.<br /><br />Joe Reeves knows ten thousand times more about OMC motors than I do. so lissen to him first of all.<br /><br />But you asked the question. Can coils cause power pack to go bad.<br /><br />As best I can understand the manual the answer is...No!<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

A Stevens coil tester can power test these coils. A Rapair catalog, with it's trouble shooting section will tell you that a defective coil will damage the pack, on either the magneto CD, or battery CD. As they manufacture these component's, I listen to them.

 

[papasage]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

some time when cold they will work and when hot they will break down . the best wat is to replace the one that is missing with one that is known to be good . look for cracks that is a good indication. i had one that ran good for a mile maby but when it got hot it would breakdown

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

Thanks R Johnson, I learned something today!<br /><br />As everbody knows what these OEM service manuals dont say, Would fill volumes.<br /><br />They assume you already know stuff!<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

Goodoleboy: Where are you located here in Iowa?

 

[Seasport]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

I've also read that a bad coil can damage a powerpack. A shorted coil or similar can change the load on the powerpack and cause inductive effects that damage the powerpack output.<br /><br />You can measure the resistance of the coil windings. Primary winding (powerpack side) is very low resistance (around 0.1 ohms) whereas seconday is more like 275 ohms. Doesn't tell you whether the coil is breaking down at high voltage (or temp) though.

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

RJ...I live in New Albin the very most north east corner of Ia. <br />I can almost throw uh rock over the Mn. line or into the ole Missuhsip.<br /><br />If your ever in this neck of the woods, Give me a call, Ill buy ya uh soda pop or whut ever suites your taste.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

Goodoleboy: Thanks for the invite, if ever around this way, you do the same.

 

[jimmy1587]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

I appreciate all the info guys. Never hurts to be on the safe side.

 

[Andre]

Re: ??? on testing my coils

Jimmy,<br /><br />There's some instructions on building a spark tester on this link by Joe Reeves, try that<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=029539#000004 <br /><br />Good Luck,<br />Mike

Is there still an active link to this tester?