Testing ignition coil off the car . . .

Is it possible to test the coil? RRC 4.2 LSE, I'm doing various things to it (bloody Britpart starter - jammed/died 363 days after I bought it) and so can't test for actual sparks on the car.

Bit suspicious that the coil is dead/dying. (It's at least eight years old - possibly even original)

I've checked the resistances with it disconnected - low tension is about 7.6, within the recommended 0.45 - 0.85ohms , but the HT shows about 7.3 on the 200k range of the meter - I'm assuming that means it's 7,300 ohms which is low against the recommended 11000 to 16000 ohms, but I might be wrong.

Can I test for a spark by connecting 12v to the LT circuit, a plug to the centre HT contact and earthing the plug body to the neg, then breaking the 12v supply to induce the spark?

I'm sure I used to do this in the dim & distant past with non electronic systems, but not sure if it wold work on these . . .

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Alastair

You should be able to turn the engine over manually using a spanner on the bolt on the crank pulley. Take some plugs out to make it easier to turn. Make sure you're in neutral, and with the ignition in position ii you should still get a spark at the right point.

Thanks but that's not possible, I can get a socket on the nut, but without removing the rad there's no room to turn it enough. I've tried loosening the dizzy and turning it so the reluctor passes the pickup, but it doesn't seem to work. Have gone through the LT wiring, removed the dizzy to check the pickup and amp, both seem fine. Only leaves the coil really - hence need for effective off car test, the definitive test being getting it running, tricky on an auto with the starter in bits . . .

A