The condenser may be fitted
outside the distributor
, or inside on the contact-breaker baseplate; on a few cars it is fitted into the wiring somewhere near the distributor.
What side does the condenser go on the coil?
The capacitor is connected to
the positive terminal
on the coil.
What does the condenser do in an ignition system?
The condenser
absorbs the energy and prevents arcing between the points each time they open
. This condenser also aids in the rapid collapse of the magnetic field.
Will an engine run without a condenser?
Yep,
cars WILL RUN without a condenser
(it's really a capacitor) but the points will burn out faster! Electrical current will try to keep flowing when a switch (the points in this case) are opened so there will be an ‘arc' across the points until they are open far enough to break the circuit.
Will a bad condenser cause weak spark?
Weak spark is often the result of a bad condenser
(and it's a cheap part to replace). If you see higher resistance here, then you need to clean and check the connections and the circuit path to ground through the points. … Also check resistance between the distributor body and the engine block.
Does an ignition coil need a condenser?
Yes
, you need it: Condenser: Those same principles of inductance create a kind of paradox, because when the points open and the magnetic field collapses it also induces a current in the primary as well.
Does a ignition condenser need to be grounded?
The
condenser body needs to be grounded
, and the lead wire can connect anywhere between the coil and points. … You can screw the condenser bracket to the coil mounting bracket, and connect the lead wire to the coil primary points wire connector.
What are the symptoms of a bad condenser?
- (1) Lukewarm Air from Vents:
- (2) Burning Smell:
- (3) Overheating While Idling:
- (4) Noticeable Leaks of Refrigerant:
- (5) Warning Lights on Dashboard:
What makes an ignition condenser go bad?
If your car has
standard ignition system wiring and a ballast coil, current flow through the circuit will be excessive
and the points, condenser, and coil all may fail prematurely.
How do you check a condenser?
- Remove the condenser from the engine. …
- Switch the volt ohmmeter to the ohms position. …
- Touch the red lead to the hot connector on the condenser. …
- Remove the leads and reverse the placement to the condenser. …
- Movement from the meter's needle indicates the condenser is good.
Will a distributor work without a condenser?
Yep,
cars WILL RUN without a condenser
(it's really a capacitor) but the points will burn out faster! Electrical current will try to keep flowing when a switch (the points in this case) are opened so there will be an ‘arc' across the points until they are open far enough to break the circuit.
Is there a difference between a 6 volt and a 12 volt condenser?
No such thing as a 6V or 12V
ignition condenser. Irrespective of applied primary voltage (6V, 12V, 24V) the condensers are made to withstand the flyback or reverse EMF voltage made by the coil as it's magnetic field collapses when the points open. That is ~80-100 volts for a typical iron core type ignition coil.
Why is there a condenser on my coil?
Basically the function of a condenser in a coil ignition circuit is
to reduce the spark at the contact points as they open in the distributor and thus minimise burning and pitting of the points
. Arcing is caused by the effect of self induction in the coil as the points interrupt the flow of current.
How do I test my spark strength?
The proper method to check for spark is with
a spark tester
. It resembles a spark plug but has a sunken center electrode that simulates a load on the coil. Holding the plug wire and seeing if a spark jumps to ground is inconclusive. The spark is arcing in atmospheric pressure.
What causes weak spark?
If the spark is still weak after replacing the whole ignition system, then
the normal size wiring or connector to the coil may be corroded or damaged
somehow. The other real longshot is that the grounding strap between the engine/trans, body, and negative battery terminal is corroded/worn/damaged.
Can a bad ground cause weak spark?
Actually, the operation of the points is what causes the coil to generate the spark, So if they
are not right
, or grounded improperly you will get a weak or no spark.
