Should a coil get hot?

[sunbeam alpine]

Was trying to help a mate out this morning - swapped the coil out of my (classic) mini cooper into his car - solved his starting problem

I drove to his place (less than 5 minutes away) in the mini, and when I went to remove the coil, it was so hot I couldn't touch it with my bare hands. The mini drives fine, but is it normal that a coil gets this hot?

[lel]

A hot coil is an indication that it is starting to break down inside, should get warm but never too hot to touch.

[lel]

Also is it the correct coil for the car? Some require external resistors and ballasts

[sunbeam alpine]

lel said:

Also is it the correct coil for the car? Some require external resistors and ballasts

Hi,

Thanks for your answers. Yes - I believe it's the right one - it's been on it since we bought it and it was a one-owner garage-serviced car. It's probably due for replacement then!

[catman]

Hi, are you sure that you connected the terminals the right way round? I recall a similar problem years ago, and discovered that this was the problem.

Tim

[fjord]

Not if she has it inserted correctly.

[sunbeam alpine]

catman said:

Hi, are you sure that you connected the terminals the right way round? I recall a similar problem years ago, and discovered that this was the problem.

Tim

Hi Tim,

It was hot coming off my car, and it's got idiot-prood connectors - can't get them on the wrong way round.

[Jaguar steve]

Warm - yes. Hot - no. Points gap too small leading to excessive dwell time and heating up coil? Ballast resistor coil in non ballast circuit? Has some 'tard set the timing without getting points gap correct first? Condenser on the way out leading to excessive back EMF?

Edited by Jaguar steve on Saturday 5th April 21:27