Hitchcocks Forum

I believe it's not good to leave the ignition switched on with the engine not running, as the coil can be damaged?

But is it ok if the points are open.... so presumably no power getting through?

Thanks, Chris

The coil cannot be damaged if the points are open. Even with them closed its a fair sized lump so it would take a quite while to overheat.

Thanks for that, Chris

It also flattens your battery. I tend to kill the engine with the decompressor but sometimes forget to turn the key off. Come back to a dead battery. I've done this multiple times to the extent I've killed two batteries but never a coil.

So, as long as you leave it with the points OPEN, it seems like there are no problems to coil, battery or anything else?