Pick-Up Coil

Disconnect coil wire from distributor cap and ground coil wire. Remove distributor cap and rotor. Ensure reluctor teeth are NOT aligned with pick-up coil sensor. See Fig 1 . Using DVOM, attach positive lead to ignition coil negative terminal and DVOM negative lead to ground.
Turn ignition to ON position. Voltmeter should read 12 volts. Insert a screwdriver between reluctor and pick-up coil. Each time screwdriver is moved in and out, voltmeter should fluctuate about one volt. If voltmeter does not fluctuate, replace pick-up coil.
If voltage is within specification, check pick-up coil air gap and adjust as necessary. See PICK-UP COIL AIR GAP table. Replace distributor if air gap specification cannot be obtained.

Fig 1: Identifying Pick-Up Coil & Reluctor

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

PICK-UP COIL AIR GAP ⁽¹⁾

Application

Clearance In. (mm)

All Models

.008-.016 (.20-.40)

⁽¹⁾	Same as crank angle sensor air gap.