put a test light on the postive primary terminal of the coil...at key on it should light the test light...if not the power feed to the coil is bad

if you have battery voltage at the coil...move the test light to the primary grd side of the ignition col. crank the engine over...the light should blink...if not...something on the grd side is bad...wiring, module..pick up

 

OK I will try... my battery is starting to get a little weak... Can I take cap to coil off to check??? This distributor has all original parts so they 36 yrs old so no regrets if I change anything. Honestly though, I wish this happened before virus because when I was out of work it wiped out my savings and I'm behind in bills so this happening is like salt in the wound. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED ANYONE IN THIS NEW REALITY WE FIND OURSELVES IN THANK YOU!!!

 

Yes, you can.

 

Kevinkpk..... I am going to check pick-up coil... I have to figure out how to get it off... I have to remove the plate that the rotor mounts to. I put it at highest ohms setting and put one lead to pickup coil and ground the other and should be infinity... It only shows a number if it spins. I heard if I put leads to both male terminals on the pickup coil it should read 150-900 ohms. Is this true...first I am going to check primary leads on coil I know coil is getting power and I checked ohms on coil and it tested OK, but I never tested primaries. I have to pawn some things and that should give me money for a part... Thank you so much

 

Sorry guys I'm not in mood to figure out the quote thing (this is first forum that I am actually communicating with people and since yous are only two men responding).

 

Check the two leads on the coil, should read something, not sure but would guess around 1k ohm. Either lead from coil to ground should read infinity. The 82 I had the insulation was gone underneath it, and was shorted to the base. The coil itself separates from the mounting plate, it's been too many years for me to remember other than it wasn't an easy fix.

 

To replace pickup coil I have to pull distributor??? I found just the insulated part inside, but I think I want it all (like piece with triangles on it). O'Reilly is trying to sell me one,, but there website said it doesn't fit my truck. So if it is bad I want to pull it and take to them. I found one that is right on website. I compared to one at AutoZone and one they chose is wrong, but one I found is a match... Well anyway do I have to pull distributor to get the Pick-up coil out???

 

I know yous are busy so one more question. Now if I do have to pull the distributor and pull gear off and so on to replace pickup coil (hopefully I don't have to) can mark the distributor and drop in same place? Damn I think I have to get to TDC cause once I pull gear off it won't mesh with cam and line up with that oil shaft. Is there an easier way???

 

Lol I just figured out what PITA means and quote button let's see....

 

I don't remember pulling the distributor, yes, you can mark it, re-install without having to be on TDC if the timing is correct. I don't think you have to pull the distributor. At this point, youtube would be a help.