Coil Question....Help!

[junkcarfann]

:confused:Can a coil go partially bad? This is on a modern car, but the principle should be the same...The car quit running, like you turned off the key. Starting fluid does nothing, so it is probably not fuel. There is a full 12v going to the coil, but a very very weak tiny yellow spark coming out.

The coil was replaced 2 years ago (2000 Chevy Astro Van, 4.3 engine).

Question....Are coils like light bulbs, i.e. they work or they don't, or can a coil fail, yet still have a tiny spark?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Jon B]

Too new! LOL!

--Jon

[Park W]

What you described is the classic symptom of a bad condenser.

[mars55]

Yes, a coil can go bad and still produce a tiny spark. Shorted turns is one failure mode that would produce such a result. If you have a shop manual for your Astro Van, they often give the resistance of a good coil and with ohmmeter you could check out the coil. Otherwise, try substituting a good coil. Another part that can cause this is a bad ignition module. As far as a bad condenser goes, his Astro Van has electronic ignition and does not use a condenser or for that matter points.