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Why does my coil keep going bad?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by AirborneGuy, Nov 24, 2006.

  1. Nov 24, 2006
    AirborneGuy

    AirborneGuy New Member

    Hot Springs, AR.
    Joined:
    May 6, 2006
    Messages:
    7
    Got a '59 CJ5, F-134, all stock, the coil keeps going bad. Runs great when I put a new coil in, for a while. I go in to town about once a week, 12 miles round trip so there's not a lot of miles on it but the coil goes out about every 6 months. Any ideas?
    Thanks.
     
    AirborneGuy, Nov 24, 2006
    #1
  2. Nov 24, 2006
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    5,349
    Do you have the ballast resistor in?
     
    Mcruff, Nov 24, 2006
    #2
  3. Nov 24, 2006
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
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    8,137
    Silly question I know but are you sure you have the right coil? F134s have different P/Ns for 6 or 12 volts. The 12 volt unit (I think) uses an internal resister, it certainly doesn't use an external one. If you're using a 6 volt coil or a generic 12 volter you're going to have problems & every 6 months sounds about right :rofl:

    H.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Nov 24, 2006
    #3
  4. Nov 25, 2006
    Strider380

    Strider380 Can I have a zip tie?

    New England
    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2006
    Messages:
    1,117
    My jeep never had an external resistor on it. When I changed the coil, it kept blowing up, until I read "External Resistor Required" printed on the coil.
     
    Strider380, Nov 25, 2006
    #4
  5. Nov 25, 2006
    kamel

    kamel Senior Curmudgeon

    Erlanger, Kentucky
    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2003
    Messages:
    891
    f-134 did not have an external resistor.

    If your coil calls for one on the side it's the wrong coil.

    turner 4wd can supply you with the correct coil.

    1-800-the-jeep

    If, with a known correct coil installed, it keeps failing, then you indeed have a mystery on your hands. Since the circuit is so simple, then I'd suspect some sort of voltage regulation and high voltage spikes coming down the line whic would cause it to fail.

    However, go for a known correct coil. I always look for the simple solution before getting into esoteric solutions.

    Occam's razor.
     
    kamel, Nov 25, 2006
    #5
  6. Nov 25, 2006
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    Howard,

    Why would a six volt coil be a problem? I thought a stock '59 had a six volt system.

    Pete
     
    PeteL, Nov 25, 2006
    #6
  7. Nov 25, 2006
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    9,221
    '59 stock 6V? I thought that was dropped in favor of the 12V system three years earlier?
     
    sparky, Nov 25, 2006
    #7
  8. Nov 25, 2006
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
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    Aug 25, 2005
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    My '56 had 6v electrics.
     
    Rondog, Nov 25, 2006
    #8
  9. Nov 25, 2006
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    There was a year ('56 I thought) where 6V was optional. Maybe it was '57?
     
    sparky, Nov 25, 2006
    #9
  10. Nov 25, 2006
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Nov 22, 2003
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    8,137
    12 volts became an option in '57 & I believe standard in '59. My '59 parts book has both 6 & 12 volt P/Ns for electrical parts.

    H.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Nov 25, 2006
    #10
  11. Nov 25, 2006
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I learn something every day. Thanks.

    My '57 is a six volter, and so was my '56, that's what got me on the wrong track.

    Pete
     
    PeteL, Nov 25, 2006
    #11
  12. Nov 26, 2006
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Dec 22, 2002
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    4,425
    I've been using an external resistored coil on my 62 and haven't had any problems. As long as your using a resistor with a resistor required coil and none with internal resistor coil you should be fine.
     
    termin8ed, Nov 26, 2006
    #12
  13. Nov 26, 2006
    kamel

    kamel Senior Curmudgeon

    Erlanger, Kentucky
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    Jun 10, 2003
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    An external resistor coil may work. However, a coil that requires an external resistor is the wrong coil for the F-head
     
    kamel, Nov 26, 2006
    #13
  14. Nov 26, 2006
    AirborneGuy

    AirborneGuy New Member

    Hot Springs, AR.
    Joined:
    May 6, 2006
    Messages:
    7
    Thanks guys, I hit all the local auto parts stores and all their coils said an external resistor is required so I just went that route.
     
    AirborneGuy, Nov 26, 2006
    #14
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