check coil to see it works

[Kevin71]

I connected the large black wire that goes to the alternator to the coil neg.  I have a MSD 6AL and dist.  Realized that was the wrong place and connected to the alt.  How do I check the coil to see if I burned it up.  No fire at the plugs.  Wasn't before when I connected the large black wire either?

[mopar jack]

Use an ohm meter to check the primary side of the coil for continuity. You measure across the negative and plus side to read the resistance.

[Kevin71]

If it is bad I take there is no resistance.  Or is there a minimum

[mopar jack]

If the coil burned a winding I would expect open resistance which would show as infinite on meter. Normal resistance would be 1.4 to 1.7 ohms approximate depending on temperature. 

[Chryco Psycho]

or hook 12v to the + terminal & momentarily connect the - terminal to ground , as you disconnect the ground it should create a spark

[Kevin71]

Well I am not getting any power to the coil from the msd unit.  I will have to get some wire to bridge between a hot lead and the coil to check the coil or I need a battery for a meter.  Haven't used it in 10 years.  So I am thinking that connecting a wire from the battery + to the - negative side of the coil could have burnt up the msd possibly.  The power light is coming on, on the msd with the ignition on so it should have current to the coil at that point shouldn't it.

[Chryco Psycho]

nope , not with MSD
 so I would go back to hot wiring the coil & breaking the cicuit to make sure the coil is working .
 Maybe the msd is not grounding or ungrounding the coil

[Kevin71]

I put a ohm meter on the coil.  The numbers were bouncing all over.  It was set at 200 on the ohm meter and I was getting 1.3 to 31.  and constantly changing.  does this make sense?

[Kevin71]

I moved the tester down lower on the terminals and got .9 reading with the meter set on 200.  I got 5 from the positive to the center when set at 20K.

[Bullitt-]

Doesn't sound right

http://www.international-auto.com/fiat-lancia-electrical-system/how-to-test-an-ignition-coil.cfm

[Kevin71]

Would the 5 on 20k translate to 10,000

[Bullitt-]

The way I get it is on the 20k range the reading would look like 10.000 to 11.000... to double check I checked my coil & it read 10.75 which I interpret as 10,750 ohms
To double check I tried an 8ohm speaker which i surmised would read .008....all I got was 0.00 so I lowered the scale to 2,000 & it read 0.08 soooo I think I'm on track   
Wait for Strawdog to weigh in.. he'll set us straight. 

[Strawdawg]

LOL...that is the reason I started buying auto-ranging digital meters about 30 years ago...but you are right, Wade

[Bullitt-]

LOL...that is the reason I started buying auto-ranging digital meters about 30 years ago...but you are right, Wade

Got my first digital meter this year so I'm learning ....dear old analogue finally gave up the ghost

[Strawdawg]

Got my first digital meter this year so I'm learning ....dear old analogue finally gave up the ghost

Makes chasing voltage drops a lot easier without much thinking!