What coils are you using, and what spark plugs are you using?
A multi meter is called that because it has multiple functions or modes of operation which the operator is expected to know before getting any meaningful information from the unit.
As a voltmeter, it displays the potential that exists between the two probes. It does not insert any power into the circuit being tested.
As on ohmmeter, it does insert some power into the circuit being tested, and it displays the circuit resistance based on the power the circuit is able to return to the opposite probe. Any power inserted by other sources will not give any meaningful results on the meters display.
If you are attempting to measure resistance, the meter maker assumes the operator is smart enough to not activate the circuit with any power source not provided by the meter.
Conversely, if you are attempting to measure volts, none will be there unless you do power the circuit or component with its normal source of power connected.
While there are some DC aspects of the ignition circuit, it is actually an AC circuit in operation, and some very different rules apply to it. Usually one is first trained to understand DC circuits, with more advanced AC circuit training after DC circuits are understood. The equations are more complex.
The spark circuits on the stock SOHC4 are not well understood by many in this forum. Many just throw money and parts at it until they are satisfied with a running machine.
Coils are available that differ from the stock specs. But, with rudimentary resistance tests, the primary side measure near 5ohms. And the secondary side (Output) measures somewhere in the 14000 to 15000 range. The stock wires are stranded aluminum core with a resistance so low that ordinary multimeters can’t measure it unless you have a length of 100 or more feet. The stock plug caps had a nominal 5000 ohm resistor incorporated, with some models having 10000 ohm resistors. Stock spark plugs had no resistors in them, but you can find some replacements today that do have resistors in them, usually with an R in the part number.
The coil secondary loop resistance for the stock coils, measured from plug cap to plug cap , should be in the 24000 to 34000 ohm resistance range for the SOHC4. There are many reasons why this is the desired configuration. And if you only understand DC circuits, they will likely mystify you in explanation. I have tried here in this forum to explain, unsuccessfully. But, as nothing in the spark circuit operates in a steady state mode (like DC) one has to analyze different bits of time slices to gain understanding, as the parts perform differently in different time slices.
There are lots of sales offerings (and promises) for altering the ignition system. Some are valid, most don’t actually help a stock unmodified SOHC4 engine, beside reducing weight of the wallet carried by the operator.
