Glenguy
Well-Known Member
Yesterday I put a new coil in my Barracuda. It's hooked up properly for sure, but it feels warm when I put my hand around it. Is that normal?
Why does coil feel warm?
- Thread starter Glenguy
- Start date
-
dukeboy440
Well-Known Member
make sure its not grounding out or stuck on. I blew up my coil that way. or so i theorize anyway
TrailBeast
AKA Mopars4us on Youtube
Yes it’s normal.
Windings with electricity running through them get warm.
Wait till you grab one that’s hotter n hell.
Then there’s a problem.
Yeah.
Back in the day the dist could end up with the points open or closed when the engine is shut off. If they happen to be closed, and you turn the key to run, the coil (as others have said) will be in a charge condition, consuming energy and turning it to heat.
One function of the ballast resister is to limit the current going to the coil to help keep it from overheating.(at least that's how I understand it)
One function of the ballast resister is to limit the current going to the coil to help keep it from overheating.(at least that's how I understand it)
Glenguy
Well-Known Member
Ok, I feel better now. Thanks. 
67Dart273
Well-Known Member
Breaker points...when closed, and the Mopar breakerless both draw current with in "run" and engine stopped. Never leave the key "on" unless accessory for extended periods with engine stopped. Ballast or not, this can burn up points and ruin coils
Glenguy
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that. I was fooling around a bit under the hood with the key turned on.
Heck yea, I burned myself on one. It didn't look hot and I didn't think about it and grabbed it full grip.
Needless to say, it was a goner when it cooled, it was shorted or whatever.
My hand ached all weekend, so now I always check them before I touch them. It could be a frozen winter day on a car with no battery and i still check it and proceed with caution because that really hurt.
Watch out for the ballast resistor too.
-
