Points Eliminator keeps failing
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From: Eudora KS
Points Eliminator keeps failing
Hello,
I'm at a loss? I have a 68 with a 1970 350. The engine has a bigger cam. and a holley 750... My question is: The optical Accell Points Eliminator Kit keeps failing. I'm on the second one in 3 months...I have power to the coil but when I pull a spark plug there is no spark. Some thing happened before and it was the Points Eliminator Kit......Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you!!
Alan
I'm at a loss? I have a 68 with a 1970 350. The engine has a bigger cam. and a holley 750... My question is: The optical Accell Points Eliminator Kit keeps failing. I'm on the second one in 3 months...I have power to the coil but when I pull a spark plug there is no spark. Some thing happened before and it was the Points Eliminator Kit......Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you!!
Alan
Last edited by opata; Feb 12, 2011 at 03:18 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Have you removed the ballast resistor from the power line going to the Accel module? That resistor is to limit current to the points distributor. If you go to a 'pointless' [no pun intended] ignition system, that ballast resistor will probably prevent the new system from working right....or at all.
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From: Eudora KS
Hello,
I believe it has no resistor...I see nothing on the wire. The P.O. Installed the optical eliminator. It ran great for the 2years I have owned it. 3 months ago it pooped out and was getting no spark. I replace the Points Eliminator Kit and it ran fin until today. Now I have no spark...which is the same thing as before. Thank you for the reply!!!
Alan
I believe it has no resistor...I see nothing on the wire. The P.O. Installed the optical eliminator. It ran great for the 2years I have owned it. 3 months ago it pooped out and was getting no spark. I replace the Points Eliminator Kit and it ran fin until today. Now I have no spark...which is the same thing as before. Thank you for the reply!!!
Alan
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From: Eudora KS
Hello,
Could that be blowing out the optical Points Eliminator? I have a MSD Blaster coil which I put on when I got the car two yrs ago. I checked the voltage to the Points Eliminator and It is 9.6v...I presume that is correct?
Thanks again!
Alan
Could that be blowing out the optical Points Eliminator? I have a MSD Blaster coil which I put on when I got the car two yrs ago. I checked the voltage to the Points Eliminator and It is 9.6v...I presume that is correct?
Thanks again!
Alan
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 477
Likes: 43
From: Millbrae California
Most of the aftermarket points eliminator units can be damaged by electronic spikes from things such as a bad spark plug wire, a bad diode in the alternator, the spikes from a battery charger or leaving the key on with the engine not running.
I hope this helps Henry @ olescarb
I hope this helps Henry @ olescarb
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29
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From: Gilbert Arizona
I just purchased an accell kit (found out later i don't need) and the directions said to leave the ballast resistor wire in place unless you use the accell coil. This contradicts most points elimanater kits I have heard of and for an HEI, but it is what it is!
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,395
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From: Indiana
The Accel setup is the same as the Mallory unilite. You should be running the factory resistor wire AND a ballast resistor for the module. With the ing switched on but engine not running, you want to see a minimum of 6 volts. With the engine running, the voltage will increase with RPM. You want to be sure voltage to the module stays below 10 even at higher RPM.
I'm running the blasterII coil with mine. The coil should get reduced voltage from the original resistor wire only (no ballast resistor).
Also, make sure the brown ground wire from the module goes to a good ground. I run my ground to one of the rear bolt holes on the cylinder head.
I'm running the blasterII coil with mine. The coil should get reduced voltage from the original resistor wire only (no ballast resistor).
Also, make sure the brown ground wire from the module goes to a good ground. I run my ground to one of the rear bolt holes on the cylinder head.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Eudora KS
Thanks for the replies! Ive been wanting to go with an HEI for a while and this pushed me to buying one. When I install the HEI does the above apply? Do I need a resistor? Is this what you mean when you say ballast resistor?
Thanks! Alan
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-M...Q5fAccessories
Thanks! Alan
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-M...Q5fAccessories
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
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From: Fremont CA
I was surprised that Accel was offering a point eliminator kit that was exactly like the old Mallory Unilite system. Back in the late 70's early 80's when the Unilite was first offered it was a complete POS and quickly gained a reputation of bad reliability.
I myself won't trust an optical triggering system and stick with Hall effect systems like the Pertronix Ignitor.
Use an Ignitor II or III system and you won't have to worry about ballast resistors and other components that may also be failing. I don't think you can beat an Ignitor III system with a 0.32ohm coil, the spark is hot and the rev limiter is built in and easily adjustable.
I myself won't trust an optical triggering system and stick with Hall effect systems like the Pertronix Ignitor.
Use an Ignitor II or III system and you won't have to worry about ballast resistors and other components that may also be failing. I don't think you can beat an Ignitor III system with a 0.32ohm coil, the spark is hot and the rev limiter is built in and easily adjustable.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,090
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From: New Carlisle IN
Thanks for the replies! Ive been wanting to go with an HEI for a while and this pushed me to buying one. When I install the HEI does the above apply? Do I need a resistor? Is this what you mean when you say ballast resistor?
Thanks! Alan
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-MSD-Ballast-Resistor-PN-8214-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5182c611ddQQ itemZ350086369757QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTru ckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Thanks! Alan
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-MSD-Ballast-Resistor-PN-8214-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5182c611ddQQ itemZ350086369757QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTru ckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
Thanks for the replies! Ive been wanting to go with an HEI for a while and this pushed me to buying one. When I install the HEI does the above apply? Do I need a resistor? Is this what you mean when you say ballast resistor?
Thanks! Alan
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-M...Q5fAccessories
Thanks! Alan
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-M...Q5fAccessories
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Eudora KS
Hello,
Thanks for the info
I looked and couldn't find a wire ballast resistor??? Do they sell them at auto stores I wonder? No biggie since I'm going with an HEI. Thank for the reply! I'll probably wire it the way you suggested and I think one of the wires for the optical unit is from the ing. switch (pink wire) Hope this takes care of the problem...since I'm nervous about driving it.....
Thanks!
Alan
Thanks for the info
I looked and couldn't find a wire ballast resistor??? Do they sell them at auto stores I wonder? No biggie since I'm going with an HEI. Thank for the reply! I'll probably wire it the way you suggested and I think one of the wires for the optical unit is from the ing. switch (pink wire) Hope this takes care of the problem...since I'm nervous about driving it.....Thanks!
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
The '68 C3 did have a rectangular ballast resistor mounted to the firewall. GM went to the 'built in resistance wire' in '69. If you have original wiring harness in your '68 car, it does NOT have a resistance wire built into it.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 266
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From: York Pa.
I was surprised that Accel was offering a point eliminator kit that was exactly like the old Mallory Unilite system. Back in the late 70's early 80's when the Unilite was first offered it was a complete POS and quickly gained a reputation of bad reliability.
I myself won't trust an optical triggering system and stick with Hall effect systems like the Pertronix Ignitor.
Use an Ignitor II or III system and you won't have to worry about ballast resistors and other components that may also be failing. I don't think you can beat an Ignitor III system with a 0.32ohm coil, the spark is hot and the rev limiter is built in and easily adjustable.
I myself won't trust an optical triggering system and stick with Hall effect systems like the Pertronix Ignitor.
Use an Ignitor II or III system and you won't have to worry about ballast resistors and other components that may also be failing. I don't think you can beat an Ignitor III system with a 0.32ohm coil, the spark is hot and the rev limiter is built in and easily adjustable.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
