C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Ignition Module 1978 Corvette

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 10:50 AM
  #1  
jpkemp's Avatar
jpkemp
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
Default Ignition Module 1978 Corvette

Have a 1978 Corvette with low mileage. Every 1-1 1/2 years I have to replace the Ignition Module because the car cranks but will not start(no spark?). First 9 months with a new IM, car starts no problem. After 9 months go by, it takes longer to start and eventually wont start - can always tell when the IM is going bad(takes longer and longer to start). Once I get it started, its starts when warm with no problem. After replacing the IM, car starts no problem.
So my question is - why does this module keep going bad? I have replaced the guts in the distributor, ground wire is good - what gives?
Its not a hard job/repair to do, its not expensive, just don't know why..
Thanks

Last edited by jpkemp; Apr 11, 2021 at 02:18 PM. Reason: correction
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 10:54 AM
  #2  
71VetteLover's Avatar
71VetteLover
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 516
Likes: 72
From: Modesto California
Default

Originally Posted by jpkemp
Have a 1978 Corvette with low mileage. Every 1-1 1/2 years I have to replace the Electronic Control Module because the car cranks but will not start(no spark?). First 9 months with a new ECM, car starts no problem. After 9 months go by, it takes longer to start and eventually wont start - can always tell when the ECM is going bad(takes longer and longer to start). Once I get it started, its starts when warm with no problem. After replacing the ECM, car starts no problem.
So my question is - why does this module keep going bad? I have replaced the guts in the distributor, ground wire is good - what gives?
Its not a hard job/repair to do, its not expensive, just don't know why..
Thanks

I assume you're referring to the ignition module inside the HEI? If so I suggest buying a Standard Module (good) or an MSD (better) because they're quality modules and they DO cost more.
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 11:00 AM
  #3  
'75's Avatar
'75
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Default

Be sure to use the heat sink compound under the new module, it helps to transfer heat from the module to the distributor housing. Heat kills these things.
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 11:12 AM
  #4  
jpkemp's Avatar
jpkemp
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by 71VetteLover
I assume you're referring to the ignition module inside the HEI? If so I suggest buying a Standard Module (good) or an MSD (better) because they're quality modules and they DO cost more.
Yes, the ignition control module - I usually buy the AC Delco replacement..Just don't know why they keep going bad,,
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 11:14 AM
  #5  
jpkemp's Avatar
jpkemp
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by '75
Be sure to use the heat sink compound under the new module, it helps to transfer heat from the module to the distributor housing. Heat kills these things.
Usually use all of compound included with the module,,,Its just mind boggling why I have to keep replacing them every so often

Last edited by jpkemp; Sep 24, 2017 at 11:16 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 11:56 AM
  #6  
tracdogg2's Avatar
tracdogg2
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 110
From: Garland Texas
Default

Make sure the coil ground strap is inside the cap. It goes in the center port of the 3- wire terminal.
Make sure your plug wires are good, A bad wire will zap the module.
Mike
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2021 | 08:59 PM
  #7  
jpkemp's Avatar
jpkemp
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
Default Still having issues

As usual, every year the ignition module has to be replaced in order to start the car. Just replaced the IM last Wednesday, car fired right up. Went to start today(Saturday), would not fire up. Battery has a full charge, starter is good, not sure why this car will not start. Could it be a bad IM even though it started fine on first crank on Wednesday?..Any idea why this keeps occurring on a yearly basis or why this car won’t start after replacing IM five days ago. Plug wires are good, cap/ rotor seem to be fine. Any assistance is appreciated.

Last edited by jpkemp; Apr 11, 2021 at 02:11 PM. Reason: correction
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2021 | 09:19 PM
  #8  
CA-Legal-Vette's Avatar
CA-Legal-Vette
Race Director
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,690
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Default

A bit of a long shot, but what plugs and gap are you running?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 10, 2021 | 09:53 PM
  #9  
interpon's Avatar
interpon
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
Default

What brand are you buying? Try some ebay usa made nos
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2021 | 11:05 PM
  #10  
jpkemp's Avatar
jpkemp
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
A bit of a long shot, but what plugs and gap are you running?
AC Delco R45TS gapped to .045, just replaced the plugs recently...Also replaced the Spark plug wires...
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2021 | 11:08 PM
  #11  
jpkemp's Avatar
jpkemp
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by interpon
What brand are you buying? Try some ebay usa made nos
AC Delco original replacement...bought off of Amazon. As stated, these ignition module(s) are usually good for a year. When replaced car starts on 1st crank then progressively starts on 2nd crank about 6 months later.

Last edited by jpkemp; Apr 11, 2021 at 02:12 PM. Reason: correction
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2021 | 04:46 AM
  #12  
Bikespace's Avatar
Bikespace
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
Default

Is your alternator spiking and killing the module? If the problem isn't heat, perhaps it is electrical.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2021 | 08:03 AM
  #13  
fake's Avatar
fake
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 343
From: Glastonbury CT
Default

Your battery charger is most likely spike it .Try plugging charger into receptacle with built in surge! Also any wireing under rotor make sure under side is not grounding to Distrubutor base which is metal Alot of heat will destroy module also so try a different heat sink manufacture under module. Good Luck!
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2021 | 08:10 AM
  #14  
bmotojoe's Avatar
bmotojoe
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 1,724
From: Seattle Area Washington
Default

Make sure you are getting a good ground path to the module mounting screws from the distributor hold down clamp.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2021 | 08:42 AM
  #15  
interpon's Avatar
interpon
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by jpkemp
AC Delco original replacement...bought off of Amazon. As stated, these ECMs usually are good for a year. When replaced car starts on 1st crank then progressively starts on 2nd crank about 6 months later.
i would look for USA made and try that.
if this one...

Amazon Amazon
sort reviews always from most recent not most helpful...and look at questions and answers..
AC Delco jumped the shark a long time ago on part quality..
reviews full of no markings, doesn’t last...etc...

anything nos USA even standard products would be worth a shot and cheaper...imo

example

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-NOS-Delco...AAAOSw0sxgOXCm

Last edited by interpon; Apr 11, 2021 at 08:44 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2021 | 09:36 AM
  #16  
CA-Legal-Vette's Avatar
CA-Legal-Vette
Race Director
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,690
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Default

Originally Posted by jpkemp
AC Delco R45TS gapped to .045, just replaced the plugs recently...Also replaced the Spark plug wires...
Well that isn’t it.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2021 | 11:58 AM
  #17  
Mrvettenick's Avatar
Mrvettenick
Drifting
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 225
Default

Just curious....what kind of ignition coil are you running, and have you measured the primary resistance? A coil that's out of spec will take out modules.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Ignition Module 1978 Corvette

Old Apr 11, 2021 | 12:47 PM
  #18  
jpkemp's Avatar
jpkemp
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by fake
Your battery charger is most likely spike it .Try plugging charger into receptacle with built in surge! Also any wireing under rotor make sure under side is not grounding to Distrubutor base which is metal Alot of heat will destroy module also so try a different heat sink manufacture under module. Good Luck!
After I replaced the module on Wednesday, I did not place the car on the battery charger. I ordered another module yesterday, stock D1906 but I am going to use a different heat sink...

Last edited by jpkemp; Apr 11, 2021 at 02:13 PM. Reason: correction
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2021 | 12:59 PM
  #19  
jpkemp's Avatar
jpkemp
Thread Starter
Advanced
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by Mrvettenick
Just curious....what kind of ignition coil are you running, and have you measured the primary resistance? A coil that's out of spec will take out modules.
Last replaced cap, rotor, and coil early last year - Echlin premium...
Car started no issues for a year, but the last 6 months required multiple cranks to get motor started.
Have not measured the resistance but this has been an ongoing problem for many years....
Module would last for a year and crap out..This is the first time it has only lasted for 5 days...
I will install another module this week with different heat compound...

Last edited by jpkemp; Apr 11, 2021 at 02:13 PM. Reason: correction
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2021 | 01:48 PM
  #20  
carriljc's Avatar
carriljc
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,711
Likes: 1,371
Default

It's not an ECM. It's an ignition module. Using the correct terms is important in communication. Using the search function works a lot better if you use the right word.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:09 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE