How does a chainsaw coil work?

Category: automotive auto parts
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In an electromagnet, there is a coil of wire around an iron bar (the armature). When you apply current to the electromagnet's coil (with a battery, for instance), the coil creates a magnetic field in the armature. A secondary coil of perhaps 20,000 turns of very thin wire wrapped around the primary coil.



Also to know is, how does an ignition coil work on a chainsaw?

Electrical currents run through the ignition coil and transmit electricity to the spark plug. The electricity creates sparks within the spark plug, and the sparks ignite the fuel in the engine, enabling the chain saw to run. Testing the ignition coil at home is simple to do and requires minimal tools.

Beside above, how do I know if my chainsaw coil is bad? Here are some of the most common symptoms of bad ignition coil.
  1. #1 – Backfiring.
  2. #2 – Poor Fuel Economy.
  3. #3 – Engine Misfiring.
  4. #4 – Vehicle Stalling.
  5. #5 – Engine Jerking, Rough idling, Poor Power.
  6. #6 – Check Engine Light On / DTC Code.
  7. #7 – Engine Hard Starting.
  8. CNP Coil Type.

Consequently, how does an ignition coil work?

An ignition coil (also called a spark coil) is an induction coil in an automobile's ignition system that transforms the battery's low voltage to the thousands of volts needed to create an electric spark in the spark plugs to ignite the fuel.

Can you rebuild an ignition coil?

If the electrical coil is physically damaged, you have to replace it. On the other hand, if the electrical coil is physically intact, it may still work well after a repair so get your tools ready to rewind the coil.

39 Related Question Answers Found

How do you check a coil on a chainsaw?

Pull the start rope on the chainsaw and watch the end of the plug as you do. If you observe a spark jumping between the tips of the spark plug gap, it means the chainsaw coil is good. If there is no spark, it means the chainsaw coil will need to be replaced.

How do you test a magneto coil?

Pull the rubber casing off the spark plug. Set the multimeter into the ohms function, or just use an ohmmeter. Manually set the dial or button on the meter to the 40 k range. Do not use auto ranging, as it is unreliable with a magneto.

Why is my chainsaw not getting spark?

If there is a spark during this process, there is a problem with the spark plug and not the ignition coil. If there is no spark during this process, the problem is most likely a defective ignition coil. Remove the screws that hold the outer housing of the chain saw in place.

Can you drive with a bad ignition coil?

The answer is you should not. You can drive the car until it breaks down completely (and it will). While doing so you will, as pointed out by other answers, run the risk of damaging the converter but you also run the risk of fire. If the coil is faulty very bad things can happen.

Where does ignition coil get power?


Power from the ignition coil is supplied to the rotor. The rotor spins in time with the engine. When the end of the rotor is near one of the contacts, electricity arcs to the contact. From there, the power travels down a spark plug wire to the associated spark plug.

Should I replace ignition coils with spark plugs?

In cases like this, to prevent future problems, your mechanic may recommend replacing all three rear ignition coils. Whenever one of the ignition coils goes bad, it's also recommended replacing all spark plugs if they haven't been replaced in a while. New spark plugs will help ignition coils last longer.

How often should ignition coils be replaced?

This part is used each time you try to start your engine, which is why it is so important that it remains repair free. The ignition coil on your car is supposed to last around 100,000 miles or more. There are a number of factors that can lead to this part become damaged prematurely.

How much does it cost to replace ignition coils?

The average cost for an ignition coil replacement is between $223 and $328. Labor costs are estimated between $58 and $75 while parts are priced between $165 and $253. Estimate does not include taxes and fees.

What makes ignition coils go bad?

Ignition coils are very rugged and reliable, but can fail for a variety of reasons. Heat and vibration can damage the coil's windings and insulation causing shorts or opens in the primary or secondary windings. But the number one killer of ignition coils is voltage overload caused by bad spark plugs or plug wires.

How many coils does a car have?

Modern cars usually have one ignition coil for every spark plug. So, if you have a six-cylinder engine, there is a strong possibility you have six coils. However, there are exceptions. Some cars have one ignition coil for every two spark plugs.

How much voltage should be at the coil?

The coil becomes a transformer, stepping the voltage up. If your car uses a 12 volt battery, the 12 volts you put into the primary side of the coil will exit the secondary side as 30,000 volts!

Can I replace just one ignition coil?

You can replace one coil at a time or all at the same time. I would however recommend having all spark plugs replaced with the coils so you do not have to remove coils twice.

How do you test a coil?

Connect your multimeter to the positive terminal or pin of your coil, and to the high output terminal that goes to the spark plug. Most ignition coils should have a secondary resistance falling somewhere between 6,000 to 10,000 ohms;however, refer to manufacturer specifications for the correct range.

How do you test a spark plug coil?


Testing the Coil
  1. First, turn off your car's engine. Then consult your owner's manual to locate the wire that attaches to one of your spark plugs.
  2. Next, reattach the spark plug wire. Hold the spark plug with a pair of insulated pliers and touch the threaded bare end of the spark plug to a grounding surface.

Will a new ignition coil improve performance?

A high performance ignition coil helps engine performance four important ways. First, the higher voltage allows for a larger spark plug gap, which results in a more robust initial flame kernal at the start of combustion. The result is a real-world engine torque increase.

What does a bad ignition coil sound like?

If you try to start your engine up and you hear a spluttering sound repeatedly, then you are likely experiencing an engine misfire that can be attributed to a bad ignition coil. You may still be able to drive your vehicle, but you will hear a lot of strange noises and even feel jerkiness as you accelerate the vehicle.