Ignition Module
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: hickory NC
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Ignition Module
What's up with these modules anyway? 
Took the car to work today, an hours ride one way, went to leave and no spark. Replaced it with one from Advance and she fired right up, just like in the past. This would make number 4 in the past year I've had to replace.
Is there a better alternative to these?
If I remember, don't these go bad from overheating?
And yes, there is the grease underneath it.
Anyone else have similar troubles with them?
Took the car to work today, an hours ride one way, went to leave and no spark. Replaced it with one from Advance and she fired right up, just like in the past. This would make number 4 in the past year I've had to replace.
Is there a better alternative to these?
If I remember, don't these go bad from overheating?
And yes, there is the grease underneath it.
Anyone else have similar troubles with them?
Le Mans Master
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Last edited by SEVNT6; Mar 11, 2014 at 10:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,003
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From: hickory NC
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
What brand modules are you buying?
When you say grease, do you mean dielectric grease or heat sink compound?
What is the heat sink compound? Is it better? If so, where can I get some?
Over the years, I've had plenty of HEI distributors. Even run them in our Late Model stock cars and have never gone thru this many.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
The compound is 90% siloxane and 10% silica. 3M sells the same mixture...which is clear and not white.
I hate to write it...but with everything being made somewhere other than the good ol USA...I do not know if you would have a problem with a GM A/C Delco part....which is what I use. I think Petronix offers one that I was turned onto from a Corvette Forum member....I will have to search for the info. This subject is something recently that I have commented on...I believe it was dealing with a 1982 ignition module.
DUB
I hate to write it...but with everything being made somewhere other than the good ol USA...I do not know if you would have a problem with a GM A/C Delco part....which is what I use. I think Petronix offers one that I was turned onto from a Corvette Forum member....I will have to search for the info. This subject is something recently that I have commented on...I believe it was dealing with a 1982 ignition module.
DUB
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From: Taylor Michigan
The one I got this time is a BWD brand from Advance Auto.
I used whatever kind of grease that came with the module. The one that went bad had white grease under it.
What is the heat sink compound? Is it better? If so, where can I get some?
Over the years, I've had plenty of HEI distributors. Even run them in our Late Model stock cars and have never gone thru this many.
I used whatever kind of grease that came with the module. The one that went bad had white grease under it.
What is the heat sink compound? Is it better? If so, where can I get some?
Over the years, I've had plenty of HEI distributors. Even run them in our Late Model stock cars and have never gone thru this many.
Borg Warner {BWD} is a good brand and use the grease that's supplied with them..thats why its packaged with the module...don't need a rocket scientist to worry about the grease'''
Do not buy any modules that are white in color, ....imported
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
The compound is 90% siloxane and 10% silica. 3M sells the same mixture...which is clear and not white.
I hate to write it...but with everything being made somewhere other than the good ol USA...I do not know if you would have a problem with a GM A/C Delco part....which is what I use. I think Petronix offers one that I was turned onto from a Corvette Forum member....I will have to search for the info. This subject is something recently that I have commented on...I believe it was dealing with a 1982 ignition module.
DUB
I hate to write it...but with everything being made somewhere other than the good ol USA...I do not know if you would have a problem with a GM A/C Delco part....which is what I use. I think Petronix offers one that I was turned onto from a Corvette Forum member....I will have to search for the info. This subject is something recently that I have commented on...I believe it was dealing with a 1982 ignition module.
DUB
As far as the problem the "OP" is having, I would venture to say that there is something shorting out that is causing his module to fry. It just seems very unusual that he has had to replace 4 of them in the past year. I would check out the entire ingition system and try to find out what the real problem is....just my thoughts.......Tom
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,003
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From: hickory NC
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
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Thanks guys for the help and info.
So, two choices then, AC Delco and pertonix.
Time to go shopping.
As far as a "DD", I put maybe 6k/yr. on the car. But, when we do go out in it, we'll easily put a minimum of 100 miles in a day.
So, two choices then, AC Delco and pertonix.
Time to go shopping.
As far as a "DD", I put maybe 6k/yr. on the car. But, when we do go out in it, we'll easily put a minimum of 100 miles in a day.
Last edited by procketus; Mar 12, 2014 at 09:01 PM.
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From: Charlotte NC
DUB, that was me that gave you the info for the 82 Pertronix Ignition Module, as stated before it works great. They do offer modules for different years. On the same thought, I have not had any problems with the GM module, but decided to do the change with the upgraded module. I also use the thermal compound from Radio Shack which works out really well. I do check the module every 6 months and clean and relube as necessary. It is just something that should be checked, especially if your C3 is used a "dd" like mine. Of course if you only put on a "few" miles per year, you can extend the module maintainance interval on a longer period.
As far as the problem the "OP" is having, I would venture to say that there is something shorting out that is causing his module to fry. It just seems very unusual that he has had to replace 4 of them in the past year. I would check out the entire ingition system and try to find out what the real problem is....just my thoughts.......Tom
As far as the problem the "OP" is having, I would venture to say that there is something shorting out that is causing his module to fry. It just seems very unusual that he has had to replace 4 of them in the past year. I would check out the entire ingition system and try to find out what the real problem is....just my thoughts.......Tom
Thanks for "chiming in".....I knew it... but sometimes I have "brain-farts" and get confused....but I feel good that I was on the mark with this information.
That is one thing about this computer...I save information and then forget where I put it. It IS NOT my fault...the computer is "suppose" to remember it for me and go right to the spot that I put it....when I ask for it.
DUB
Le Mans Master
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From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I would check the coil as well. You may be getting too much resistance from a coil going bad which might be frying the module. Just a thought.
I ditched the OEM type module about 15 years ago for a crane replacement module/Capacitor that is totally different from the OEM module in looks-it looks like a computer circuit board but fits in the same spot as the OEM module. No issues.
Just looked it up-Holy Smokes-I paid about $50:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Crane+Cams/271...FaMcOgodjEcA4w
I ditched the OEM type module about 15 years ago for a crane replacement module/Capacitor that is totally different from the OEM module in looks-it looks like a computer circuit board but fits in the same spot as the OEM module. No issues.
Just looked it up-Holy Smokes-I paid about $50:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Crane+Cams/271...FaMcOgodjEcA4w
Last edited by jb78L-82; Mar 13, 2014 at 08:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
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From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Larry, all of the info for the 82 module is in the "sticky". I just chose that brand as an upgrade to the GM module. I never had trouble with the GM unit, and still have it as a spare. There are good modules out there from different manufactures, but felt that the Pertronix was worth a try. SOP feels good, but then it was always good with my 82, I should say, it feels better......
tom
tom