pertronix ignition wire burned question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Belmont NC
St. Jude Donor '15
pertronix ignition wire burned question
Took a 200 mile trip today and I noticed the engine felt like it was running on 7 cylinders. Almost home and it began to backfire then engine quit. I felt it was a timing issue and was hoping I could limp home, but didn't and it was dark. Once wreckered home, I found the red wire from the electronic ignition from the "points" to the coil had burnt through. I can only assume it had been rubbing on something over a period of time. Question, can this be soldered/spliced or is it not recommended and I should order a new ignition module? My question isn't whether electronic is better than points, just if making that type connection is a good/bad idea.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Took a 200 mile trip today and I noticed the engine felt like it was running on 7 cylinders. Almost home and it began to backfire then engine quit. I felt it was a timing issue and was hoping I could limp home, but didn't and it was dark. Once wreckered home, I found the red wire from the electronic ignition from the "points" to the coil had burnt through. I can only assume it had been rubbing on something over a period of time. Question, can this be soldered/spliced or is it not recommended and I should order a new ignition module? My question isn't whether electronic is better than points, just if making that type connection is a good/bad idea.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Belmont NC
St. Jude Donor '15
thanks, since this was a recent switch over, I am going to see if it "might" be covered under their 30-month warranty first. Unk since it appears to have either creeped up into the cap causing the problem, or it started arcing through a pin hole. If they don't cover it, I'll splice.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Belmont NC
St. Jude Donor '15
I spliced it and put everything back and it starts up fine, HOWEVER, I didn't realize (because of the darkness) that the severe backfiring actually has blown out both ends (on both sides) of the fairly new mufflers. Looks like cans opened up without an opener.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The more important question would be, "Why did that wire get hot?"
I'm suspecting that you either installed a higher power coil or the coil you have is going bad. If a higher power coil is drawing more current than the original wire was intended to carry, your spicing-in a larger wire should fix the problem. If your coil is going bad, be prepared for a "repeat performance".
I'm suspecting that you either installed a higher power coil or the coil you have is going bad. If a higher power coil is drawing more current than the original wire was intended to carry, your spicing-in a larger wire should fix the problem. If your coil is going bad, be prepared for a "repeat performance".
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Belmont NC
St. Jude Donor '15
The more important question would be, "Why did that wire get hot?"
I'm suspecting that you either installed a higher power coil or the coil you have is going bad. If a higher power coil is drawing more current than the original wire was intended to carry, your spicing-in a larger wire should fix the problem. If your coil is going bad, be prepared for a "repeat performance".
I'm suspecting that you either installed a higher power coil or the coil you have is going bad. If a higher power coil is drawing more current than the original wire was intended to carry, your spicing-in a larger wire should fix the problem. If your coil is going bad, be prepared for a "repeat performance".
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski