How do you test coils?

[panteramatt]

So how do you test your coil packs to see if their bad? Dont you use a ohm meter and test for resistence?

 

[feetwet]

I believe you need an oscilliscope and a triggering circuit.. I haven't heard of any way that doesn't require semi-complex tools.

On my ex, I though I had a bad coil, but it turned out to be a cracked spark plug. I couldn't tell which one until the misfire was finally logged to the ECM. I read the codes using a bluetooth OBDII reader to my Android phone.

 

[panteramatt]

I thought you could just use an ohm meter?

 

[feetwet]

As I understand, you need to let the coil build a charge and trigger a release (spark) and measure the release.

this tool might be worth a look... don't even have to pull the coil to test it
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=WAE76562&source=froogle&kw=WAE76562