Coil melt down

3

31 RPU

Senior Member
What would cause a coil to melt completely down?
I was thinking maybe the ignition switch was left on?
It got so hot the guts fell out.

Thanks for any input.
 
It wouldnt hurt to open up the junction box, pull back the dash, to check all the wiring..
Two wing nuts and 4 screws
 
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I use one of those Pertronix 1.5 ohm epoxy filled coils available from Amazon.
Called a Flamethrower, puts out 40,000 volts.
I've left it on with the points closed several times. It got warm but not overly hot.
Really a good unit.
 
My repro ignition switch terminal once rubbed on the gas tank and kept the coil on full time. Luckily I just happed to touch the coil and feel it was warm, so I found the problem right away before the coil burned up.

BTW, this is a good reminder to always look at the ammeter when leaving the car to be sure it's on zero.
 
Thanks Guys, that is what I thought happened but wanted your input. I plan on replacing wires and the coils and probably the junction box. I won't know until I get in there.
Isn't the ammeter wired in series with the coil? You would think it would have burned the wiring out of it as small as it is.
It made a mess under the hood.
 
31 RPU said:
Thanks Guys, that is what I thought happened but wanted your input. I plan on replacing wires and the coils and probably the junction box. I won't know until I get in there.
Isn't the ammeter wired in series with the coil? You would think it would have burned the wiring out of it as small as it is.
It made a mess under the hood.
Click to expand...

Just be sure, if you get an aftermarket box, before installing it, put a wee bit of nail polish on the first nut thread and if the screws are through to the back of the box, slip a bit of caulking in the holes to keep any possibility of them touching the body and shutting down the car, and possibly burning up the wiring.

Experience is the best teacher, even better when it is someone else's experience.
 
I left the ignition ON overnight and it damaged the Pertronix 40611 Coil in my Victoria. As a result, the car is very hard to start, and the engine runs rough at speed. I have a Bosch 00012 Coil on order to replace the Pertronix.
 
Mitch//pa said:
It wouldnt hurt to open up the junction box, pull back the dash, to check all the wiring..
Two wing nuts and 4 screws
Click to expand...

This is a good point. I had my aftermarket switch connect one of it's terminals to the gas tank behind the dash. Found the coil heating up. Lucky I found it when I did. This problem caused the rig to quit while driving so the reason for working on it. So point being, check you wiring for shorts.
 
Always good to look at your ammeter before anything is turned on and then once everything is turned off, to ensure nothing is left on or maybe shorted on... --and a battery cutoff switch is good for peace of mind...
 
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