Ignition coil ?

cisco88 · January 27th, 2009, 09:38 AM

Is it normal for the ignition coil to get hot. This is on a 394 out of a 61 olds.

Oldsguy · January 27th, 2009, 09:49 AM

No, you may have some faulty wiring or a bad ignition switch/solenoid. It may be that you have voltage constantly on that coil even when you turn off the ignition. If you have a way to check it do so, If not dis-connect the battery now until you get someone that can help you. That coil could get so hot the oil inside will leak out or even explode. I saw it happen once.

cisco88 · January 27th, 2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldsguy

No, you may have some faulty wiring or a bad ignition switch/solenoid. It may be that you have voltage constantly on that coil even when you turn off the ignition. If you have a way to check it do so, If not dis-connect the battery now until you get someone that can help you. That coil could get so hot the oil inside will leak out or even explode. I saw it happen once.

Well it only gets hot like that when it is running, while ignition off, coile is nice and cool.

dan2286 · January 27th, 2009, 10:14 AM

It is possible to overwork a coil while it is running, but I forget what can cause it. I think it can be something to do with having bad plugs/wires and maybe the distributor also.

redoldsman · January 27th, 2009, 10:28 AM

I think it should still be running a resistor that drops the voltage to the coil. I would check that. It makes sense that if it were by-passed with a full 12 volts going to the coil, that it would overheat. Just my guess.

January 27th, 2009, 09:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
cisco88 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 28	Ignition coil ? Is it normal for the ignition coil to get hot. This is on a 394 out of a 61 olds.

January 27th, 2009, 09:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	No, you may have some faulty wiring or a bad ignition switch/solenoid. It may be that you have voltage constantly on that coil even when you turn off the ignition. If you have a way to check it do so, If not dis-connect the battery now until you get someone that can help you. That coil could get so hot the oil inside will leak out or even explode. I saw it happen once. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

January 27th, 2009, 10:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
redoldsman Proud Viet Nam Veteran Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rowlett, TX Posts: 481	I think it should still be running a resistor that drops the voltage to the coil. I would check that. It makes sense that if it were by-passed with a full 12 volts going to the coil, that it would overheat. Just my guess. __________________ redoldsman

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January 27th, 2009, 10:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
dan2286 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 338	It is possible to overwork a coil while it is running, but I forget what can cause it. I think it can be something to do with having bad plugs/wires and maybe the distributor also.