I recently acquired (read today) an 86 jag that's turns over fine, and seems to be getting gas, but there's no spark. There's power to the coil, though it's constant (is that normal?) but nothing from the coil.

Kinda lost on where to start on this one, maybe the coil itself? Then cap and rotor? then the ignition amplifier? (in order of cost, if not logic)

Any advice? Thanks!

 

You have a Lucas CEI--Constant Energy Ignition--- so constant volatage is normal.

I presume you have a multi-meter and/or test light to have determined that the coil is getting voltage, so....

When you crank the engine does your test light flicker when held to the "-" post of the coil. It should.

With the key "on" (but not cranking) what's your voltage at the "-" coil post? it should be the the same as you're getting at the "+" post.

If you have a multi-meter you can check the coil. It should have about .8 ohms primary resistance and about 8k ohms seconday resistance.

Post back with results from these first tests..or any questions... and we'll go from there.

If you don't have a multi-meter we'll have to take a differect approach.

Cheers
DD

 

The voltage is constant, even when cranking the car.

I forgot to check the resistance across the coil after discovering the lack of pulse.

What's does the lack of pulse indicate? (sorry, I'll try to read up on my own, but sometimes a question receives a quicker and more accurate answer than my hap-hazard searching does)