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can a coil....

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healeyboz

healeyboz

Jedi Knight
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offer intermittent problems?

How hot should the outside of the coil get? Can it get so hot that you cannot keep your hand on it and still be functioning properly?
 
Coils can give intermittent problems, typically when they get hot. It shouldn't be so hot that you can't touch it. Check to see what voltage the coil is supposed to be running at or if it says "For use with ballast resistor" You may be running a 9 volt coil at 12 volts and thus the overheating.
 
I found that my problem was a bad condenser, my coil was also getting extremely hot and not starting. New condenser, started right up

Mark
 
yes it can, I had a car that when the coil got to hot the car would die. let it cool for 15 min. then ran fine till it got to hot again.
 
Drove the car today. Died on me. Won't start even now. Got gas and spark. Won't start!! What in the world is happening now!!!
 
Even though you got the coil from Jeff it could still be defective. Replace it with a 12 volt "non-resistor" type from NAPA or Pep Boys and try it again.
Bill

Also replace the condenser and wires if you haven't done so in a long while.
 
Coils and condencers are cheep. Get one of each and swap out one at a time then you have a spare of the other.
 
I replaced the coil with the stock one that I had on hand. I got spark but still no run.... I am running the petronix unit in the dizzy. I wonder if it can have intermittent problems?

Just trying to figure all of this nonsense out.
 
healeyboz said:
offer intermittent problems?

How hot should the outside of the coil get? Can it get so hot that you cannot keep your hand on it and still be functioning properly?
Click to expand...

Yes. I had one in an ahem, uh, AMC Gremlin, that had a hairline crack in it. When moisture got in it, the vehicle ran horribly.
 
Is that due to a bad coil, Kim? I changed coils out to a stock one that I had sitting around. I believe that the Petronix unit that Jeff hooked up for me is bad. Getting a very small spark.... NOTHING like it should be. I think it finally gave and that is why I can't start the car. No wonder I have been having a richness problem. No wonder I have been having intermittent problems. Back off to Jeff it all will go on Mon.
 
I don't know. I have only worked with the points version. I have worked in electronics for many a year and I prefer points when it comes to making a good trustworthy spark. I know this will create controversy but points are simple and easy to fix.
 
I agree with you Kim. I thought it would be nice to try petronix. I am sure it is a good system. I must have just gotten a bad unit. Points are proven and easy to replace.
 
You two ain't gonna get any "controversy" from here over stayin' with points in th' dizzy. I've long been an advocate for keepin' it as simple as possible. With an emery board and a matchbook cover you can go a long way... can't fix a "smart box" with either one of those things. :wink:
 
Barry

whatcha figure out on that hot coil...my 62 setting in the garage needs a multitude of servicing since it last ran correctly last summer but one of the issues is the coil... as yours it gets so hot I can't touch it...thanks
 
Gesh, change it for a new one.
 
Jack that's the problem...last summer when I was starting to service I replaced the coil with a resistor free coil from VB. HOT so HOT...so I put the old one back in still stayed HOT so Hot...so I'm sure soemthing I did in process. Will likely start working on it again as fall and as cooler temps approach but thought if Barry found what caused his hot coil... one less thing I'd have to figure out!!! This was definitiely one of those if it ain't broke don't fix it projects!!!
 
Gesh, only thing I can think of is too much voltage and you tried that.

Not very helpful am I.
 
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