Single ignition coil system

An ignition coil also called a spark coil is an

induction coil in an automobile's ignition system
that transforms the battery's low voltage to the
thousands of volts needed to create an electric
spark in the spark plugs to ignite the fuel. Some
coils have an internal resistor, while others rely on
a resistor wire or an external resistor to limit the
current flowing into the coil from the car's 12volt
supply. The wire that goes from the ignition coil to
the distributor and the high voltage wires that
goes from the distributor to each of the spark
plugs are called spark plug wires and high tension
leads. Originally, every ignition coil system
required mechanical contact breaker points and a
capacitor condenser. Recent electronic ignition
systems use a power transistor to provide pulses
to the ignition coil. A modern passenger
automobile may use one ignition coil for each
engine cylinder or pair of cylinders, eliminating
fault prone spark plug cables and a distributor to
route the high voltage pulses.
Ignition systems are not required for diesel
engines which rely on compression to ignite the
fuel and air mixture.

Faults
1 Heat and vibration can damage the coil's
windings and insulation causing shorts or opens in
the primary or secondary windings. But the
number one killer of ignition coils is voltage
overload caused by bad spark plugs or plug wires.
2 If a coil has battery voltage at its positive
terminal and is being grounded on and off by the
ignition module or circuit but is not producing a
spark, the coil is defective and needs to be
replaced.
3 If the ignition module has failed more than
once, it may be due to a bad ignition coil. Internal
arcing or shorts in a coil can overload and damage
the circuitry inside the ignition module.
Common Spark Plug Problems
The required spark plug gap and voltage can vary
depending on temperature, altitude and your
engine settings.
Old, damaged or fouled spark plugs can also
require service or replacement
How to test ignition coil
The only safe way to test for spark is to use a
spark plug tester tool.
If a coil problem is suspected, measure the
coil's primary and secondary resistance with
an ohmmeter. If either is out of specifications,
the coil needs to be replaced.
A coil can be easily bench tested with a digital
10 mega ohm impedance ohmmeter. Refer to
the vehicle manufacturers service
information for the coil test specifications
 because the values can vary depending on the
application.

Tools and equipment

SPARK PLUG WIRES
INDUCTIVE TIMING LIGHTS
SPARK TESTERS
M.E.D.S.
MULTIMETERS
DIAGNOSTIC TOOL KITS