All engines in the 1968 Pontiac Firebird were equipped with a cylindrical-shaped ignition coil. Often, a poor ignition problem is mistakenly attributed to the coil, rather to the more common source of the problem, the ignition switch. The condition of the coil can be tested fairly quickly on the car by removing the ignition switch from the circuit.
Tools Used: Screwdriver, Assistant
Determine Bad Coil
Remove the screws that secure the distributor cap to the distributor with a screwdriver, then remove the cap to access the ignition points assembly. Note that the assembly includes two metal tips. As the distributor rotates, the tips open and close.
Turn the engine with the ignition key only until the two tips of the points assembly are closed, then turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position.
Pull the coil wire off the center of the distributor cap.
Position the metal tip of the coil wire between 1/4 and 3/8 inches away from a clean spot on the engine block.
Direct an assistant to turn the ignition key to the "On" position but not to crank the engine. If the coil is in working condition, a spark will jump from the metal tip of the coil wire to the engine block when the key is turned.
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