coil getting to hot

[plysatellite66]

I would like to know what would cause a coil to get extremely hot without the car running and the ignition switch in the on position?
The car is a 1966 Plymouth Satellite with a 1970 383 engine with electronic ignition and up dated wiring harness for highter amp alternator, 4 pin ballast and newer volt regulator.
Thank you for any info anyone could give me.
Richard
[email protected]

 

[black64]

Coil will draw 3-4 amps with ignition on and not running that would be equal to a 60 watt light bulb. Put your hand on the bulb it would be hot.

 

[Photon440]

How many volts read at the coil in that situation?

 

[383man]

Also how long are you leaving the key on with the eng not running ? Ron

 

[Darthomas]

Well, that's what you DO if you want to make a coil hot.
Also a great way to ruin a set of points if you had points.
Also a great way to run down the battery, because in addition to the current flowing through the coil, you will have current flowing through the field of the alternator.
If you want to keep the coil cool, you will have to "bump" the starter tiny increments while watching the ammeter.
When the distributor is at the point where it would be firing a spark, the current in the primary winding of the coil stops,
and it can be seen on the ammeter how the discharge decreases.
It's not very easy to get it to stop at such a point, and you may have to make a dozen little bumps on the starter before you get it to stop at a triggering point.

There must be some good reason why you would not want to use the accessory position instead of ignition.
Please share.