list:

when engine is not turning, ignition switch in on position, negative
terminal of meter attached to engine ground:

1. coil (+) should be at battery voltage (a bit more than 12 V) with
points open; maybe 6 - 10 V with points closed.

2. coil (-) should be at battery voltage with points open; just a bit
above ground with points closed.

3. with engine turning over, coil (-) has transient voltages in the
neighborhood of minus 150 to 400 volts, which are stepped up 50 to 100
times by the coil secondary.

dan

On Sat, 15 Jul 2006 16:59:53 -0700, chris
<vanagon@FRONTLEFTSPEAKERPOSSE.COM> wrote:

>ok, still no spark unfortunately.
>
>The starter turns just fine, plenty of juice.
>Had partner crank motor over to check spark from coil, but nothing is
>there.
>
>1. checked voltage from negative coil to ground, 12V.
>2. cranked engine until points were open, then checked negative coil to
>ground, still 12V when points are open.
>
>Does this mean the distributor is 'shorted', as the troubleshooting
>guide in my Clymer manual suggests?
>
>
>I checked the 'double relay' per the directions in Bentley and it turned
>out to be just fine.