How to Do an Ohms Test on a Snowmobile's Ignition Coil
by Don Bowman
The coil on a snowmobile is much like a capacitor. It has the ability to take 12 volts, raise the voltage much higher and store it until it is grounded. By grounding it, the field collapses and releases this energy through its secondary terminal. The amount of voltage rise is solely dependent on the amount of field windings and the type of fluid it is surrounded by.
Step 1
Remove the two wires from the coil using a small electrical wrench. These will be the positive and negative terminals.
Step 2
Place the red lead from the ohmmeter on the positive (+) terminal and probe the coil mounting bracket with the black lead. The display should be infinite (no reading or continuity). If there is any continuity the coil is shorted and needs replacing.
Step 3
Move the black lead to the coil negative terminal (-) and watch the display. The reading should be less than 1 ohm.
Step 4
Move the black lead to the coil tower and probe the contact inside the tower. The reading should be 10 to 60 ohms, no more. If the coil failed any of these tests, replace it.
Things You'll Need
- Volt/Ohmmeter
- Small electrical wrenches
Writer Bio
Don Bowman has been writing for various websites and several online magazines since 2008. He has owned an auto service facility since 1982 and has over 45 years of technical experience as a master ASE tech. Bowman has a business degree from Pennsylvania State University and was an officer in the U.S. Army (aircraft maintenance officer, pilot, six Air Medal awards, two tours Vietnam).
