Ignition Coil Curiousness

[whalford]

While fixing my 'not starting' issues on my '79, I was checking ground on a number of areas. I noticed that the hot side of my ignition coil (labeled with the "+") is actually grounded. This is the side with the pink wire. The starting problem ended up being a blown inline fuse that I missed when I went over the car the first time. I replaced that, and the + side is still grounded. It works just fine, but is still grounded. Is that right? Maybe to dissipate any built-up charge when you shut the car off? I checked it with ignition switch on and off, but car was not running at the time.

Thanks,
Bill

[So Cal Mark]

the path through the coil windings will eventually go to ground. If the + side were connected directly to ground you wouldn't have spark

[mbouse]

not only won't you have spark at the distributor, but you might have a nice gooy messy melting of the pink wire from the coil all the way back to the ignition switch.

from the office of BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.