HITACHI Electronic Ignition System - SUBARU: Testing

Turn ignition switch "ON". Connect negative lead of voltmeter to ground and positive lead to negative terminal of ignition coil. Voltage should be within 1 volt of battery voltage. If not, proceed to step 8.
If reading was within 1 volt of battery voltage, turn ignition switch "OFF" and disconnect 2-pole connector. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Conducting Tests at 2-Pole Connector
Courtesy of NOT AVAILABLE
Using an ohmmeter set at the x100 scale, measure resistance between the terminals in the distributor side of the 2-pole connector. Reading should be 600-850 ohms. If not, replace pick-up coil.
If reading was within specifications, turn ignition switch "OFF". Using an ohmmeter set to the x1 scale, measure resistance between ground and ignition control unit side. Resistance should be less than 0.5 ohm. If not, check ground wire at regulator mounting screw.
If less than 0.5 ohm, turn ignition switch "OFF" and check air gap between reluctor and pick-up coil. Adjust as necessary.
If air gap was originally within specifications, turn ignition switch "OFF" and disconnect 2-pole connector. Disconnect secondary wire from distributor and hold 1/4" from engine ground. Turn ignition switch "ON" and check whether spark jumps when a small voltage (1-6 volts) is intermittently applied to terminals 1 and 2 on ignition control unit side of connector.
NOTE: Do not use battery voltage for this test or damage may occur to ignition control unit.
If spark occurs, there is no trouble with ignition system. If no spark occurs, replace ignition control unit.
If the reading in step 1 was not within 1.0 volt of battery voltage, turn ignition switch "ON" and check voltage at positive terminal of ignition coil. If not equal to battery voltage, check wiring between ignition switch and positive terminal of ignition coil. Repair or replace as necessary. If OK, check connector, switch, fuse and wiring back to the battery.
If reading at coil positive terminal was within 1.0 volt of battery voltage, disconnect the lead at negative terminal (coming from ignition control unit). Turn ignition switch "ON". Voltage at negative terminal should be within 1.0 volt of battery voltage.
If voltage is within 1.0 volt of battery voltage, but engine will not start, replace ignition control unit. If not within 1.0 volt, remove lead from tachometer (if equipped) at ignition coil. Turn ignition switch "ON" and again check voltage at negative terminal of coil.
If reading is now correct, but engine will not start, check wiring harness from negative terminal of coil to tachometer for short circuit. If in step 10, reading was still not within 1.0 volt of battery voltage, replace ignition control unit.
If ignition coil is suspected of being defective, check primary and secondary coil resistance. To check primary coil resistance, attach leads of an ohmmeter set in x1 range to coil primary terminals. Reading should be 1.04-1.27 ohms.
To check secondary resistance, set ohmmeter to x1000 range and attach leads to coil negative terminal and coil tower. Reading should be 7, 360-11, 040 ohms. If either reading is not to specifications, replace ignition coil.