Pick-Up Coil: Testing and Inspection

Distributor Exploded View:

CAUTION: This inspection must be done in a well vented area. Be sure to ground coil wire away from the throttle body and all other fuel system components. DO NOT touch the coil wire while using a screwdriver because high voltage is run through the wire and an electric shock could occur.

Coil Voltage Reading:

1. Disconnect the coil wire at the distributor cap and ground it to the engine with an appropriate test jumper.
2. Remove the distributor cap and rotor.

Signal Rotor Position:

3. Turn the signal rotor so that the teeth are not adjacent to the pick-up coil. If they are, turn the crankshaft until rotor teeth are split by pick-up coil.
4. Connect a digital volt/ohm meter between the negative (-) coil terminal and the engine ground to see if battery voltage (12) is present.

Inserting Screwdriver:

5. Insert a flat-bladed screwdriver or other suitable tool between the signal rotor and the generator pick-up coil; then move it in and out several times. The volt meter should show a slight fluctuation in voltage (about 0.5 to 1 volt) when the screwdriver is inserted. If the fluctuation does NOT occur, the generator assembly is damaged and must be replaced.
6. Install the rotor, cap, and coil wire to the distributor.