Re: How Important is OMC Ignition Timing?

[legendre]

quote Mumbles:

With the points closed, you will have a very low ohm reading but when the points open, the reading will increase slightly because it is reading the primary winding in the coil now.

This is the issue, and it’s why you can’t use a light or buzz-box – neither can really tell the difference between 0 and 1 ohms. When the points are closed, the ideal reading is ZERO (0) ohms – it won’t be zero, but dang well close. When they open, the reading will rise to the value of the primary winding, which is around 1R (one ohm) or even less. This is too small of a change to be obvious on many meters, even digital models.. you need to pay close attention.

Removing the coil primary wire from the points will fix this, as you should be able to leave the other two wires (kill-switch and condenser) connected without issue. In that case, readings will go from ‘zero’ to nearly ‘infinite’ when the points break open.