C1 Coil problem?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 705
Likes: 1
From: 1961 Red w/White coves 85,532 Original Miles
C1 Coil problem?
Is there a quick method to see if my coil has gone bad? I went in to start my 58 this moring aand it wouldn't start. I have gas to the carburator and it just turns over, nothing. I pulled a plug wire off to check for spark by a plug, nothing. I pulled the coil wire out of the distributor and placed a screwdriver down in the top of the coil and had a friend turn it over with the coil wire next to it to see if a spark appeared, nothing.
Thanks, Bill
Thanks, Bill
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 705
Likes: 1
From: 1961 Red w/White coves 85,532 Original Miles
Originally Posted by 67L36Driver
Points working? Coils don't go bad overnite. 
Thanks Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by win1876
I just went out and checked the point, they are fried. How does this happen, they are fairly new? I was working under the dash with the key on the on position, could this have done it?
Thanks Bill
Thanks Bill
I believe the way the points fry is for them to happen to be in the closed position when the key is left on.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 705
Likes: 1
From: 1961 Red w/White coves 85,532 Original Miles
Originally Posted by 62Jeff
Yep, leaving the key in the On position can fry the points. That is why the Accessory position was created, so radio, etc. can be used without sending energy through the ignition circuit.
I believe the way the points fry is for them to happen to be in the closed position when the key is left on.
I believe the way the points fry is for them to happen to be in the closed position when the key is left on.
Thanks, Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by win1876
Could this have fried the coil too? When I when to O'reilly's to get the points, I picked up a coil, after I replaced the points and sset the gap it still didn't want to fire. I then replaced the coil and it fired right up.
Thanks, Bill
Thanks, Bill
Glad you got it running again though.
I'm off to see if I can get my 65 back on the road today.
Jeff
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 210
From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
Points closed key left on points burn and coil, I've had two coils go out over the years while driving and each does a different thing when going out. Coils do burn out after time , that's why they sell them.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,068
Likes: 27
From: St. Joseph Mo
Originally Posted by 1955 copper
Points closed key left on points burn and coil, I've had two coils go out over the years while driving and each does a different thing when going out. Coils do burn out after time , that's why they sell them.
They can also short out, overheat and burst showering bystanders with hot oil. We had a foreman at work get his face badly burned. Safety glasses saved his eyesight.
Never 'hot wire' a coil except for a minute or two, the full twelve volts will fry it. Make your connection to the top side of the dropping resistor.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 705
Likes: 1
From: 1961 Red w/White coves 85,532 Original Miles
Originally Posted by 1955 copper
Points closed key left on points burn and coil, I've had two coils go out over the years while driving and each does a different thing when going out. Coils do burn out after time , that's why they sell them.
Thanks, Bill