Re: Ignition coil exploded...ya gotta ask yourself...

[Jerry Casper <gremlingts@xxxxxxxxx>]

> 
 Colin Brodsky wrote:
> 
> > Rather surprising ....explosion...I found the
ignition
> > coil was blazing hot and apparently ruptured.  I
> have recently been through
> > two ignition coils but both were old and I didn't
> know the history of them.
>  I had left the key in the on position without
cranking
> for about 3 hours.
> > 
> > I'm now wondering.... 


   " Why am I leaving the ignition ON for that long?!"
 Or , that is what you SHOULD be wondering. WHY would
you leave it on that long anyway? A coil has fine
internal wires, not heavy-duty 14-gauge, if your
points are closed, you will be draining the battery (
a 550-750 AMP monster, not a few amps thru  digital
circuit voltage ), and of COURSE the coil will get
hot. WHy would you think it's ok to do that? My Dad
taught me many, many years ago not to leave the
ignition on ( besides for the obvious fact that it
drains the battery thru the points ). I can't believe
anyone would actually think it's ok to do that
indefinitely. The new cars have built-in protection,
so unless you're running an HEI system or equivalent,
I'd think you'd err on the side of restraint and turn
off the ignition when you're not actually using it or
testing something in it. I guess some people aren't
aware of coil design contraints and theory. Anyway,
maybe a little reading of Automobile electrical theory
would be in order. 
  Just had to throw in my 2 cents here, I guess I've
been involved with cars so long, I assume something as
basic as shutting off a points-based ignition system
would be automatic. Guess not. Well, I need to go
check some gas cans...where did I leave my matchbook?

- Jerry in VA -


		
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