_Some help understanding my multimeter please.

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Testing an old 6v coil. My meter has scales of 200, 2000, 20K, 200K and 2000K. Tested - to + them both to center terminal.
Results at each setting: - to + - to center + to center
200 1.5 I I
2000 1 I I
20K 0.0 6.24 6.24
200K 0.0 6.2 6.2
2000K 000 006 006
I understand electrical basics and the 1.5 ohms. Do the other readings mean 6,240 ohms and is that a good value for a 6v coil?

 

[Fawteen]

You'll get the most accurate reading on the scale closest to the actual value. As to whether those values are appropriate for a coil I'll defer to someone who knows more about it than I do. Which covers a LOT of territory...

 

[Butch(OH)]

Basically what Fawteen said. Being a bit electric challanged I get by considering settings as sensitivity. Lowest sensitivy at 200 highest at 2000k. Like any other guage the one that reads mid scale is more accurate. A 15PSI gauge will read 2 lbs more accurately than a 100lb gauge and 2 lbs won't move the needle on a 10,000 lb gauge. So when reading unknown ohm's you start with the 200 Ohm's If you get an I reading that means you have exceeded 200 Ohms so move up the scale to 2000. Each time you get an I you move up the scale. However if you go past the best scale the readings become inaccurate, same as using a 10000 PSI guage to check for 2-4 PSI when a 15 Lb gauge is what you need.
Thats how I remember, I'm sure the electric wizz bangs will get a laugh but that's OK, works for me. Across the +- 200 is the correct setting and is 1.5 Ohms. High tension output to either + or - 20K is the correct scale and 6.24 means 6240 Ohm's,,, I think? The reason 200K say 6.3 or 6300 ohms is because it's too big a setting for the resistance value thus less accurate, same as my example with the pressure guages.

 

[Ray,IN]

There is a specific coil testing device for this purpose. I don't know if you may borrow one from AutoZone or not under their tool loan program.

 

[tech4]

Testing an old 6v coil. My meter has scales of 200, 2000, 20K, 200K and 2000K. Tested - to + them both to center terminal.
Results at each setting: - to + - to center + to center
200 1.5 I I
2000 1 I I
20K 0.0 6.24 6.24
200K 0.0 6.2 6.2
2000K 000 006 006
I understand electrical basics and the 1.5 ohms. Do the other readings mean 6,240 ohms and is that a good value for a 6v coil?

 

[tech4]

That is approximately the right readings for a 6 v coil but also check between each connector and the outside case. There should not be any continuity between the case and the connections.
From Google
Normal DC resistance readings for a 6-volt ignition coil typically fall within the following ranges:

• Primary Winding: 1.2 to 2.2 ohms. This is measured across the positive (+) and negative (-) low-tension terminals.
• Secondary Winding: 5,000 to 12,000 ohms (5k–12kΩ). This is measured between the high-tension center outlet and either one of the primary terminals.
• Ground/Insulation: Open circuit (infinity). There should be no continuity between any of the terminals and the metal outer casing of the coil; any reading indicates an internal short.

 

[Hobo,NC]

That is approximately the right readings for a 6 v coil but also check between each connector and the outside case. There should not be any continuity between the case and the connections.
From Google
Normal DC resistance readings for a 6-volt ignition coil typically fall within the following ranges:

• Primary Winding: 1.2 to 2.2 ohms. This is measured across the positive (+) and negative (-) low-tension terminals.
• Secondary Winding: 5,000 to 12,000 ohms (5k–12kΩ). This is measured between the high-tension center outlet and either one of the primary terminals.
• Ground/Insulation: Open circuit (infinity). There should be no continuity between any of the terminals and the metal outer casing of the coil; any reading indicates an internal short.

And remember a ohm meter reading can show a coil is bad but it can not without a doubt prove its good.

 

[john in la]

A reading of 1.5 on the 200 scale should be.15 on the 2000 scale and.015 on the 20,000 scale. In other words it moves the decimal point one space.

A different way to look at it is 1.5 x 200 is 300. And .15 x 2000 and.015 x 20000 are both 300.

The reason you are not getting the numbers above is the meter has a hard time reading small ohms on such a large scale setting. This is why you are supposed to use the smallest scale setting you can to read the expected ohms reading.

 

[buickanddeere]

Testing an old 6v coil. My meter has scales of 200, 2000, 20K, 200K and 2000K. Tested - to + them both to center terminal.
Results at each setting: - to + - to center + to center
200 1.5 I I
2000 1 I I
20K 0.0 6.24 6.24
200K 0.0 6.2 6.2
2000K 000 006 006
I understand electrical basics and the 1.5 ohms. Do the other readings mean 6,240 ohms and is that a good value for a 6v coil?

Pretty sure the meter is reading 6.25 ohm on the secondary . Depends if you are reading with the primary as it is in series with the secondary .

 

[Watthour]

That should be 6.25K (6,250Ω).

 

[Texasmark]

Pretty sure the meter is reading 6.25 ohm on the secondary . Depends if you are reading with the primary as it is in series with the secondary .

I've been retired for 20+ years and forgot more than I learned but using a common core like you mention is an "auto transformer" is it not?