As a quick "on the car" check compare the distance the spark will jump using
the following two methods:
1. Disconnect the contact breaker wire from the coil and tap a flying
ground lead on and off the coil contact, and
2. Flicking the points open.
The latter should give the much bigger spark because the condenser is in
circuit. You can test 'unknown quantity' condensers with method 1 as well,
by connecting them across contact that you are making and breaking with the
flying lead.
Again, no indication of capacitance, but certainly a go/no go and even a
comparison between two condensers.
PaulH.
-----Original Message-----
From: Barney Gaylord <barneymg@ntsource.com>
To: mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: 10 December 1998 03:28
Subject: How to test a condenser
>Oh ye, wisdom of the list,
>
>A new experience every day, and now for the first time in my life I finally
>had a condenser fail on me. The last one lasted several years and 100,000
>miles without a problem, and I only changed it out of superstition, or
>maybe as a point of preventive maintainance. Now after only several
>thousand miles in six months the new one has failed miserably.
>
>I checked everything else in the ignition system, cleaned and/or replaced
>the points, rotor, dizzy cap and pug wires, and even tried a different
>coil, and the car still ran like crap, would hardly move under its own
>power. It should have been a clue when I disconnected the condenser wire
>and it didn't make any difference at all. After weeding through all other
>possible causes, finally in desparation I removed the new condenser and put
>the old one back on. Now it runs like a MG again, cranks right up past the
>red line without missing a beat.
>
>Now as something I have asked before but never gotten an answer, aside from
>not being a dead short circuit, how do you test one of these little
>critters? I think it would be nice to be able to tell good from bad and
>not end up with a dud in my spare parts bin again. Anyone have a real
>answer? Maybe some educated electrical tech guru on the list? Physics 102
>was way too many years ago, and I really don't feel like making a trip to
>the library if someone on the list can answer this one.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Barney Gaylord
>1958 MGA with an attitude
>
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