keep burning up ignition modules
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Wisconsin
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 5.7 TPI L98
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" with 4.11
keep burning up ignition modules
Im using the stock distributor with a MSD remote coil and MSD 6A box. Ive been using this combo for about 9 years and i keep burning up my ignition modules, (about 1 every year). Ive tried a few different brands of modules to the same result. Will the MSD distributor help me out? I don't want to shell out $250 if its not gonna really help. Will i have to wire it up to the box different than the stock distributor? I lost my instructions that came with the 6A box. I think i remember it might just plug right in. There is a plug outlet on the box thats not hooked up right now. Is the MSD distributor that much better then the stock one?
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 3
From: Arab, Alabama
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 4BBL
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: keep burning up ignition modules
That doesn't make sense because the 6A should be driving the coil load with the module in the dizzy just providing a signal to the 6A and the tach.
I would think that the culprit would be either the wiring to the tach or voltage spikes coming in the key switch feed to the module (NOS solenoids closing).
I would put a blocking diode and a MOV (metal oxide varistor) between the voltage feed to the module and ground.
The diode would kill any negative spikes and the MOV would clip positive spikes to under 140V.
Like this:
(+)---l<----(-) Diode (radioshack #276-1144) $1.59
(+)---l/l----(-) MOV (radioshack #276-568) $1.99
The signal wire to the tach (if it is connected to the module) can be run thru a resistor (271-1115) $.99 to make it "short proof".
I would think that the culprit would be either the wiring to the tach or voltage spikes coming in the key switch feed to the module (NOS solenoids closing).
I would put a blocking diode and a MOV (metal oxide varistor) between the voltage feed to the module and ground.
The diode would kill any negative spikes and the MOV would clip positive spikes to under 140V.
Like this:
(+)---l<----(-) Diode (radioshack #276-1144) $1.59
(+)---l/l----(-) MOV (radioshack #276-568) $1.99
The signal wire to the tach (if it is connected to the module) can be run thru a resistor (271-1115) $.99 to make it "short proof".
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 10,950
Likes: 26
From: Orange, SoCal
Car: 1990 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 355 TPI siamesed runners
Transmission: Tremec T56
Axle/Gears: 12-Bolt 3.73
Re: keep burning up ignition modules
There are instructions for wiring the MSD boxes on their website: http://www.msdignition.com/
Dumb question, but are you using heat sink paste on the modules before you install them? Heat is the biggest killer of ignition modules.
Dumb question, but are you using heat sink paste on the modules before you install them? Heat is the biggest killer of ignition modules.
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 5.7 TPI L98
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" with 4.11
Re: keep burning up ignition modules
yeah, i have been using the paste. It seems like a moisture issue too. It gets really corroded in there. Ive replaced the cap too.
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