Coil arcing

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my65
Posts: 155
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2015 12:20 pm
Location: porter texas

Coil arcing

Post by my65 »

I removed the spark plugs and coil to distributor wire so I could turn the car over for a compression test. As the car cranked, there was an electrical arc between the primary and both secondary terminals. Is this normal when the electricity has no path to the spark plugs????
Ed ( my65 )
65 Monza Convertible
110 HP 4 Speed
63 Monza Coupe
140 HP 4 Speed
66 Corsa Coupe
140hp 4 speed
Porter, Texas
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terribleted
Posts: 4588
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:36 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA
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Re: Coil arcing

Post by terribleted »

Pretty much. Disconnect the power to the dist. + terminal....no arcs then.
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
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Located in Snellville, Georgia
66vairguy
Posts: 4531
Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2010 3:44 pm

Re: Coil arcing

Post by 66vairguy »

NOTE: All electronic ignitions systems warn to NEVER operate the coil without a load, like pulling off the spark plug wire to test one cylinder.

Even with points it's hard on the coil insulation to operate it without a load.
my65
Posts: 155
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2015 12:20 pm
Location: porter texas

Re: Coil arcing

Post by my65 »

Did I just screw up the pertronic ll that I should replace anyway? :dontknow:
Ed ( my65 )
65 Monza Convertible
110 HP 4 Speed
63 Monza Coupe
140 HP 4 Speed
66 Corsa Coupe
140hp 4 speed
Porter, Texas
64powerglide
Posts: 1604
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 9:18 pm
Location: Kalamazoo Mi..

Re: Coil arcing

Post by 64powerglide »

Check the top of the coil for a hairline crack.
64Powerglide, Jeff Phillips

Kalamazoo, Mi..
my65
Posts: 155
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2015 12:20 pm
Location: porter texas

Re: Coil arcing

Post by my65 »

No cracks in the top of coil and the car started right up?
I guess I lucked out and did not hurt anything? :redface:
Ed ( my65 )
65 Monza Convertible
110 HP 4 Speed
63 Monza Coupe
140 HP 4 Speed
66 Corsa Coupe
140hp 4 speed
Porter, Texas
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