Ignition coils burn up
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Cruising
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10
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Ignition coils burn up
I’ve gone thru 2 coils. The last one I bought from Ecklers to be assured I have a correct AC Delco for my 69 tripower. It lasted about 40 miles and now the ohm test confirms again zero reading on the top side from positive lead. What is causing this? I have new plugs gapped correctly and the rest of ignition system seems in good shape. Car runs great when it runs
Last edited by Tommyttt; Jun 24, 2020 at 05:48 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2,517
Likes: 1,167
From: Northern Wisconsin
Is your car supposed to have a resistor inline with the coil that drops coil voltage to 6 volts once the engine is running? If someone replaced that resistor with a wire, then the coil will see 12 volts all the time, and that will burn up the coil. The solution is to put the resistor back as it is supposed to be, or get a coil that is designed to run on 12 volts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
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Is your car supposed to have a resistor inline with the coil that drops coil voltage to 6 volts once the engine is running? If someone replaced that resistor with a wire, then the coil will see 12 volts all the time, and that will burn up the coil. The solution is to put the resistor back as it is supposed to be, or get a coil that is designed to run on 12 volts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
I’ve gone thru 2 coils. The last one I bought from Ecklers to be assured I have a correct AC Delco for my 69 tripower. It lasted about 40 miles and now the ohm test confirms again zero reading on the top side from positive lead. What is causing this? I have new plugs gapped correctly and the rest of ignition system seems in good shape. Car runs great when it runs
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Whatever the coil design (all GM's are 12vdc), it must be compatible with the ignition system you have. For instance, you cannot put a stock 'points' coil together with an aftermarket electronic ignition system....or it will fry when it get up in RPM (greater current draw with higher rpm).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I’ve gone thru 2 coils. The last one I bought from Ecklers to be assured I have a correct AC Delco for my 69 tripower. It lasted about 40 miles and now the ohm test confirms again zero reading on the top side from positive lead. What is causing this? I have new plugs gapped correctly and the rest of ignition system seems in good shape. Car runs great when it runs
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Tech Contributor
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Wabasha Mn
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
read this link
http://www.tispecialty.com/articles/article4.htm
http://www.tispecialty.com/articles/article4.htm
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Wabasha Mn
SMP has a lot of their parts "assembled" or made in mexico. Their blue streak coils are their top performance coils and have been around for years. I believe Napa premium coils are made by SMP. I have one on my vette and one on my Gto . Both engines have factory points distributors . No problems with either coil so far. I bought both from rockauto.com.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
The "New" GM.... GM manufactures almost NOTHING, anymore. They buy foreign and put it in AC-Delco boxes. They own the brand name and have been gouging us on foreign product since their "bankruptcy" (Ferengi-speak for 'bailout-theft'). The production quality of Delco products is better than most Chinese stuff, but it is nowhere near the quality of the original products they are replacing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,266
Likes: 549
300 X 60 seconds = 18000 ignitions, 4 stroke engine would fire every other revolution would be 36000 rpm. ?? unless we divide by 8.
Last edited by itsonlyairandfuel; Jun 25, 2020 at 10:10 AM. Reason: math