250V MAX
15A MAX
FUSED
COM
DC
15A
20M
200
K
20K
2K
200
8CYL
6CYL
TACH
X10
5CYL
4CYL
8CYL
OHMS
15
A
250V MAX
15A MAX
FUSED
COM
DC
15A
20M
200
K
20K
2K
200
8CYL
6CYL
TACH
X10
5CYL
4CYL
8CYL
OHMS
15
A
20
Ignition System Testing
The ignition system is responsible for providing the spark that ignites the fuel in the cylinder.
Ignition system components that the digital multimeter can test are the primary and secondary
ignition coil resistance, spark plug wire resistance, hall effect switches/sensors, reluctance pick-
up coil sensors, and the switching action of the primary ignition coil.
Ignition Coil Testing
This test measures the resistance of the pri-
mary and secondary of an ignition coil. This
test can be used for distributorless ignition
systems (DIS) provided the primary and sec-
ondary ignition coil terminals are easily ac-
cessible.
Test Procedure:
1. If engine is HOT let it COOL down be-
fore proceeding.
2. Disconnect ignition coil from ignition
system.
6. Connect test leads.
• Connect RED test lead to primary igni-
tion coil positive (+) terminal.
• Connect BLACK test lead to primary ig-
nition coil negative (-) terminal.
• Refer to vehicle service manual for loca-
tion of primary ignition coil terminals.
7. View reading on display.
Subtract test lead resistance found in Step
5 from above reading.
Fig. 23
Typical Cylindrical
Ignition Coil
Black
Red
Primary
Coil
Secondary
Coil
Fig. 24
Typical Cylindrical
Ignition Coil
Black
Secondary
Coil
Primary
Coil
Red
3. Insert BLACK test lead into
COM test lead jack (see Fig.
23).
4. Insert RED test lead into
test lead jack.
5. Turn multimeter rotary switch
to 200
Ω
range.
8. If vehicle is DIS, repeat Steps 6
and 7 for remaining ignition
coils.
9. Test Results - Primary Coil
• Typical resistance range of pri-
mary ignition coils is 0.3 - 2.0
Ω
.
• Refer to vehicle service manual
for your vehicles resistance
range.
