When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I had to go into the console on my '77 because the clip that holds the shift cable had come off and while I was in there I thought I would adjust the switch that controls the backup lights because they were working intermittently. That switch also controls the Park/Neutral safety circuit. I loosened the switch, put the selector in R had the ignition turned on and I was wiggling it looking for the backup lights to go on and off. Then I got distracted by someone at the front door and left the car for maybe 3 or 4 minutes. I came back into the garage to a strong burning smell and smoke coming from the top of the distributor. I quickly switched the key off and disconnected the battery. Photo below shows the result.
Can anyone clue me into why that happened? The damage looks to be only the coil, I checked continuity from the switch to the starter and that is still good. Now that this has happened is there anything I should look at before starting the car up again? The dizzy is an MSD 8362 and luckily the coil can be purchased separately, the cap looks fine, the black cover over the coil is a little warped but looks ok. And I will use and ohmeter with the battery disconnected to adjust the switch.
GM HEI are usually forgiving about leaving them switched On when Not running ... dunno 'bout MSD.
Do your wires have the Correct plug at the cap's Bat - Tach ? ... or a just a couple of female terminals?
I did have to put on new connectors cs as the old ones were pretty shabby. I used the ones with clips that engage the molded snaps on the dizzy. If you are asking if they were reversed they were not, the car was running fine, tach working.
I have a msd street fire. I’ve replaced almost every external part. Cap rotor ignition module , pickup coil. And the main coil. It burned on the bottom but not as bad as yours. I think they’re assembled with junk parts. I replaced everything with standard ignition parts from rockauto. Ok for couple years now. Make sure coil is grounded good.
Last edited by speedreed8; Apr 9, 2020 at 06:36 PM.
I have a msd street fire. I’ve replaced almost every external part. Cap rotor ignition module , pickup coil. And the main coil. It burned on the bottom but not as bad as yours. I think they’re assembled with junk parts. I replaced everything with standard ignition parts from rockauto. Ok for couple years now. Make sure coil is grounded good.
It did have a defective rotor that I had to replace. Can you tell me how it is grounded?
I had to go into the console on my '77 because the clip that holds the shift cable had come off and while I was in there I thought I would adjust the switch that controls the backup lights because they were working intermittently. That switch also controls the Park/Neutral safety circuit. I loosened the switch, put the selector in R had the ignition turned on and I was wiggling it looking for the backup lights to go on and off. Then I got distracted by someone at the front door and left the car for maybe 3 or 4 minutes. I came back into the garage to a strong burning smell and smoke coming from the top of the distributor. I quickly switched the key off and disconnected the battery. Photo below shows the result.
Can anyone clue me into why that happened? The damage looks to be only the coil, I checked continuity from the switch to the starter and that is still good. Now that this has happened is there anything I should look at before starting the car up again? The dizzy is an MSD 8362 and luckily the coil can be purchased separately, the cap looks fine, the black cover over the coil is a little warped but looks ok. And I will use and ohmeter with the battery disconnected to adjust the switch.
It is called "junk." I have also seen their coil packs melt. Also "junk." I have seen their coils leak/fail/overheat.. "Junk."
Fried my coil
