steadily in the higher rpms over the last few days the tach would get twitchy and the engne would stumble, now yesterday it was all across the rpm band the engine stumbled while the tach freaked out.. today once it fired up it wasnt as bad but the engine lacked power all across the band as i rev'd it in park. about 30 seconds into it. it just died. and now will not start up at all. it tries. but no go.

with the twitchy idle and warming up. i think its a bad ignition module. sound good? i also by passed my ignition box just in case. made no difference.

 

why don't you have it tested? that way you'd know instead of guessing. they tend to fail hot and work when cold. you can heat one up with a hot air gun.

 

the closest place to test it is an autozone 15 miles away. i made that first post this morning shortly before i left for work. since it was under warranty i went ahead and grabbed another. ill find out in the morning if it works. i tested my coil at work its still good. just curious if those are normal symptoms of a bad module. i dont think it would have been the pickup coil in the dizzy, that usually isnt an intermentent problem, either it works or not.

 

Disconnect the Set timing Connector, or whatever you disconnect to set the timing, connect a timing light, rev and hold the rpm to 2000 if the mark isn't steady regardless of where it is, then you have a Dizzy, or ignition module problem, try loosening the hold down clamp, and keep the Dizzy from turn with your hand, if the mark doesn't jump around as much as before then it's probably the dizzy, the damage may have been caused by too much of a negative change in the intake deck height. You may need to use dizzy shims to keep it from bottoming out which forces the dizzy shaft upward damaging bearings, bushings, rotor, and cap.
A new Dizzy can cost upwards of a 100 bucks so checking the intake deck height is a must.
When I installed a new stock replacement Dizzy, I found I needed a .060" shim in addition to the Dizzy shaft gasket. I had to go to a performance parts shop to get a set of nylon dizzy shims.

 

never heard of a shim. its a stock stealthram on non decked heads. never heard of anyone needing this and for such an odd solution to a problem, I'm gonna ignore this issue until its the last thing i can do. thanks for the tip though.

I did however hold the rpms up around 2k from the drivers seat and watched the rpm jiggle around and engine surge.

 

Sounds like a bad module or a faulty connection/ground.

 

Don't forget the correct 'spooge' underneath (dielectric ain't it). Man, I'm going to have to memorize that part number... cut and paste it is...

I'm getting real sick of finding dielectric grease in the damn boxes with the new modules.

 

i recieved a new bwg ignition module, with stupid dielectric grease. but the car will still not even fire. i tested the pickup coil. (adc at cranking jumps around 2)

what else should i check for?

 

Excerpt from Circle Track How to article Checking Distributor Timing

Tuning Timing
We built a distributor-length measuring tool because, if the distributor gears sit too low or high on the cam gears, the gears can wear irregularly, and the ignition timing can vary or a failure can result. Once the intake is on the assembled engine, the tool is dropped down into the distributor hole and the sliding locator set on the rod. Then, that distance is measured against the distributor. On the MSD distributor, the collar can be adjusted up or down as needed, and on a factory-type distributor, shims can be used if the distributor needs to be located higher in the block. Also, with a stock wet-sump oil pump, check the oil-pump drive rod length to make sure the distributor is not pushing directly on the oil-pump gear.

 

spiffy.

i picked up a new coil today. even though mine tested good at work i think its enemy is heat soak. i borrowed a new dizzy/module as well. see how this goes in the morning.

 

just to update this old thread for future search's. it was my pickup coil in the dizzy, i replaced the whole thing and runs great now!