Was just reading another topic about somebody with some problems that sound like mine, only worse (car guttless), and now I'm wondering what happens when a torque converter goes bad. Do they make a burning smell? I have an oil leak that could possibly be dripping on the exhaust pipe, but I don't think the small amount leaking would make it that strong. I only notice it when I drive in 1st or 2nd gear for a couple hundred yrds and come to a stop. I don't think it's the brakes, tested that theory when I was driving about 100 and pulled off into a rest stop. Stuck my face in the fenderwells (where it's strongest) and couldn't smell anything.
Anyway my car is lacking in power as of late and the fuel use has gone up too ( I think)very small amount though, maybe just paranoid, but the roads are wet and I can barely make the tires spin. That's when I'm turning too. Almost seems worse after it sat for couple weeks (barely ran)and when I replaced the cap, rotor, coil(blaster GM), and 02 sensor it ran fine but seemed like less power.
I haven't ruled out the cat yet (replacing anyway when I do the whole exhaust and get bigger pipe), but that burning smell is scaring me. It fades away pretty quick too.

Also, does anybody know of a site that has heat sink compound for the module(does it go on the pins I guess?), and a pick-up coil, and how many pins do our modules have, found them on summit but not quite sure which is right. I'll probably be messing with the dist tomorrow when I work on some other stuff, but I'm hoping to order everything tonight. (Some things are hard to find over here)

 

whats it smell like? does it smell like burning circuits? rubber or oil?? TTT

 

The heat sink compound goes between the module and the distributor. It makes sure the total area of the modual is in 100%contact with metal surface allowing the heat to disapate as fast as it can.

As for # of pins, pull the connectors off and count, or just count the wires. I think it has two fins on one side and five on the other.

 

Your guess of bad worn tranny could be very correct.
Mine smelled like that before I started to really loose three-four.

 

I guess it is more of a burning brake/clutch smell. With my luck I bet it is the tranny. There's a long gradual grade not far from here, when I reach the bottom (coasting about 50 mph all the way) it shifts into 3rd when I start giving gas again and takes half a mile before it shifts back to 4th. I guess I've been living in denial about it.
Time to start planning for a torque converter and rebuild kit I suppose. Any recommendations on decent aftermarket TC's or kits?

 

ok, figured out module. Now need to find heat sink compound and fix tranny

 

As I always say, go to the tranny side.
You have a unique situation. Who will rebuild it once you get the rebuild kit? You are in Germany!

 

As I always say, go to the tranny side.
You have a unique situation. Who will rebuild it once you get the rebuild kit? You are in Germany!

 

My original-equipment-replacement (BorgWarner) spark module came with a tiny tube of heat sink compound (the white grease). I bought an extra tube from Radio Shack... from their electronic parts area, by the heat sinks. I also lightly (very lightly) scuffed the metal heat transfer area of the module so the grease wouldn't get all squished out. Don't scratch too much, or you'll greatly reduce the heat transfer (metal to metal).

We have 9 pin modules... 5 to engine harness, 2 to spark coil, 2 to pickup coil. Check out http://www.holley.com in their Annihilator Ignition section, under accessories, look for part # 891-103 for a picture.