coil specifications

Can someone tell me what the resistance a coil
should read on a 1965 cj5, and the sequence of testing?
Thanks

 

A little bit more info would help.

Basically if you're getting fire to the plugs you're getting fire through the coil.

Bump the starter until the points are open.
check the voltage (use a voltmeter) on both of the small wires. You should get approximately 12 volts. If you don't get a voltage go buy a new one.

 

Thats the problem, I'm getting no fire to the points or plugs.
Have another coil I wanted to check first before going 20 miles
to change it out.

 

The resistance will be low, and it's hard to measure low resistances accurately with a regular multimeter. If either winding (high or low voltage side) is open (infinite resistance), then you know that the coil is kaput. The primary (low voltage side) is a winding between the two small terminals, and the secondary (high voltage side) connects from the center post to the case. If you measure low or no resistance for both windings, then the coil may be ok, or maybe not. The best approach in that case IMO is to substitute another known good coil.

I'd suggest you go ahead and buy a replacement coil and try it, assuming you've checked everything else. A spare coil is a good thing to have as a trail spare - BTDT.

 

Also, if you want to test your other coil, put it in another car and try it. That's the easiest approach.

 

May not be the coil then.
Try hotwireing it.

make up a lead with two alligator clips, hook one to the positive terminal on the battery, and the other to the + terminal on the coil. work the starter and see if it fires. If it does, you have a problem with the switch or wiring between the coil and dash somewhere.

 

Thanks for the info. All I need now is
a little time to get that heifer running.