Thread: Ignition coil troubleshooting

Im having issues getting spark. Changed plugs, wires are good, new rotor, distributor is less than 4 years old never had a problem with it. Almost 100% certain its the ignition coil that is the problem, even though im testing with 2 different ones (1 old nissan, 1 newer autozone crap). I believe they are both bad. Just to be sure I wanted to see if someone could help me out with some other potential causes.

I know voltage out of the coil is supposed to be between 30-40k. I just read a post earlier about a way to test it by 1cm gapping a plug and hooking it directly to the coil with a single wire as it takes around 30k volts to arc a 1cm gap. Havent tried yet, will do soon.

Prior to doing that I want to check some things involving the wiring. 2 connector plug goes into the coil. 1 power 1 ground (switched with ignition) correct? What should voltage be?

Can wiring be tested by providing a dedicated 12v into the coil and a chassis ground from the coil to test for spark while cranking?

Any other ideas? Ive gone through every possible fuse I can find.

Just test to see if you have the supplied 12v to the coil. If not then your brown engine control fuse in the drivers side engine bay fuse box is blown more than likely. That is where the 12v supply to the coil comes from.

If you do have the supplied 12v then you might have an ignitor issue.

Easiest check you can do, pull the distributor, key in the on position and then rotate the keyway clockwise as it would rotate with the motor turning over and listen to see if you can hear the injectors firing. If so then your distributor is good and is sending out the proper signal for both the injectors and coil.

So start with the basics and check for the coil 12v primary on the Black w/ Red stripe or Red w/ Black stripe (cant remember off the top of my head) the other wire that goes from the coil to the ignitor is Green w/ Yellow stripe if i recall. Just unplug and test for voltage and check what I said.

Our stock ignition system is pretty straight forward and simple.

Thanks ashton, Ill hit that stuff this week

this thread is very helpful thank you OP and ashton