Coil Question (Previous owner rigging inside!!)

[jhammel85]

Alright...

I've been tracking an intermittent idle issue for some time now. For the most part the truck runs well, just skips a beat here and there. Only does this at idle and around 1500 RPM.
While looking for a problem, I noticed that the coil wiring not so secure. Instead of being plugged in like every other sensor it has two red wires going to right side on the coil connection and one green/grey on the right side of the coil. So you know, this is the square style coil....in fact it looks a little ugly. Burnt?

Anyway.... The thing is...those two red wires are twisted together and they used some kind of connector to connect it to the + prong on the coil. I'm not sure about these, so I havent messed with them much. Mainly out of fear that once I play with it, it'll fall apart. The wires are flopping around so somethings gotta be done. plus a little bit of wire is exposed where these two meet.

I cannot find an actual replacement sensor connector so I was wondering if I should do what the previous owner did but do a much better, stable job than they did. What do you think would be best to do? I'll try to post a pic at some point.

 

[RangerSVT]

I'd go to your local JY and pull a connector off of a similar model, clip the wires about 6 inches from the connector, and solder your wires to the new connector...Other than that, if they are the standard 1/4 inch male blade type connector, you can use a 1/4 female quick disconnect terminal to attach the wire to it, if its the round or stud style, you can try and locate a nut for it and use a ring style terminal that fits the stud and connect it that way.
SVT

 

[jhammel85]

Thanks man, I'll give that a shot.

 

[jhammel85]

Does anyone know of a way to test the coil? I would guess that you would test its output somehow but I'm not sure....through a voltmeter maybe??

 

[RangerSVT]

Yes, you need a digital multimeter(DMM) and you also need a repair manual. You ohm out the primary side and secondary side of the coil, and compare your measurements to the manufacture's specs in the repair manual
SVT

 

[IMenriched]

Does anyone know of a way to test the coil? I would guess that you would test its output somehow but I'm not sure....through a voltmeter maybe??

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TFI_Diagnostic.html
try that...yes it is more info than needed but good tips and info all the same

 

[jhammel85]

Yes, you need a digital multimeter(DMM) and you also need a repair manual. You ohm out the primary side and secondary side of the coil, and compare your measurements to the manufacture's specs in the repair manual
SVT

Very cool...Didnt know it had to be a digital Multimeter. I have an analog one but we have 'em here @ work so.....

Thanks!

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TFI_Diagnostic.html
try that...yes it is more info than needed but good tips and info all the same

Thanks, I appricate it. I didnt even think to look here. I did look on that site too but I was looking for something specific to the coil. I'll check this out...

 

[piotrsko]

NO, you can use a vtvm, vom or a DMM, especially if you know how to read the correct scale. My simpson is probably older than you, and it still is accurate to 1/2 percent.

if it is running, I would put the timing light on the coil wire of the distributor and look for misses in the firing while I wiggle wires here and there.