how do i test pick up

[mogpar]

how do you test the pice up in a electronic distributor i did a continuity check and i thought it would be like a switch but it is all ways on   any help nouthing in my books  still cant git spark out of distributor but iam getting out of coil    any help would be great   

[Plumcrazy]

If you're getting spark out of the coil the pickup is good.  Is it a good bluish white spark?
Did you try replacing the cap and rotor?  Sometimes they will get small cracks that are almost impossible to see.

[resq302]

The pick up inside the distributor should make continuity when it lines up with the cog/sprocket point.  If I remember correctly, there should be something like a .008 gap.  Make sure you use a BRASS feeler gauge as a metal one will immediately ruin the pick up and or sprocket as it would magetize both of them.  Only one is supposed to be magnetized.  I learned this the hardway.

[Plumcrazy]

The pick up inside the distributor should make continuity when it lines up with the cog/sprocket point. 

Not true.  The pickup is nothing more than a wire wound around a magnet.  It actually generates a small electrical current.
I can't remember the exact spec but I think there should be somewhere around 700 ohms resistance through the coil.  It makes no difference if the pickup is in the car or not.

[Chryco Psycho]

if you have continuity with an Ohm meter it is ok , you should see a pulse as the shaft is turned as well
what is the problem you are having ?

[John_Kunkel]

The pickup is nothing more than a wire wound around a magnet.  It actually generates a small electrical current.

Yep. Pass any type of ferrous metal close to the pickup and it will start to generate a voltage, the voltage will be highest when the metal is closest to the exposed pickup. The voltage will be only a few (5-8) millivolts.

[Plumcrazy]

The spec for the pickup coil is 150 to 900 ohms resistance.

[Nacho-RT74]

mine, and all I have tested since new are around 290 Ohms