What would cause my ignition module keep burning out?

The leading cause of premature failure of an ignition coil is due to a worn or bad spark plug ignition cable. A bad spark plug ignition cable will have a much higher than normal resistance. This high resistance causes a very high amount of voltage to be generated from your ignition coil’s secondary winding.

How many amps does a GM HEI draw?

Actually, an HEI draws only 2- to 3-amps, compared to the approximate 6-amps an external oil-filled coil draws. The lower amperage draw results in a much cooler running HEI coil.

What would cause HEI distributor not to fire?

If the battery voltage drops below 10.5 volts while cranking, you probably have a bad battery. This low voltage could be insufficient to get the distributor to fire. Use a volt meter to test the hot wire while a buddy cranks the engine over. If the voltage drops below 10.5, check your battery.

Why do my ignition coils keep failing?

When it comes to an ignition coil failure there are only three things that come to my mind; 1.) something is causing the ignition coil to work too hard; 2.) something is causing the ignition coil to be turned on too long resulting in overheating; or 3.) the ignition coil has worn out from a long life.

Does cold weather affect ignition coils?

Ignition coils are three times more likely to fail in colder weather as the components are put under greater strain, according to Cambiare. Cambiare’s ignition coils are designed to be resistant to temperature fluctuations, moisture and oil ingress.

How does GM HEI module work?

HEI uses no ballast resistor or resistance wire. In a GM HEI system, the module replaced the contacts of the breaker points and the pickup coil was substituted for the rubbing block and distributor cam. The ignition coil fires when the module shuts off voltage to the coil primary. This is akin to the breakers opening.

Does HEI distributor need ballast resistor?

When using HEI, the distributor requires a 12 volt feed. In order to achieve this the ballast resistor or the resistance wire must be removed from the circuit and replaced with a pure 12 gauge feed wire.

Should there be oil on ignition coils?

The coil itself is housed in oil. If the ignition coil isn’t working properly it will overheat. This excess heat can crack the housing and – voila – you’ll have an oil leak. It’s best to have oil leaks fixed right away as they cause tremendous damage.

What are the symptoms of ignition coil failure?

What Are the Signs of a Faulty Ignition Coil?

• Loss of Power. This is one of the first symptoms of ignition coil failure.
• Check Engine Light On.
• Poor Fuel Economy.
• Backfiring.
• Misfiring Engine.
• Hard Starts and Stalling.
• Spluttering and Coughing Sounds.
• Jerking and Vibrating.

What happens if spark plugs are too cold?

A “cold” spark has a shorter insulator and retains less heat at the tip end—but if it’s too cold, deposits accumulate and eventually the plug will short out (known as “fouling”).

How many volts does an HEI distributor need?

In order to run properly, an HEI requires a full 12 volts at all times. The 20-gauge resistance wire must be replaced by a 12-gauge wire (pink to maintain the factory colour coding), hooked up to the HEI cap’s “BAT” terminal.

How do you bypass a ballast resistor?

A quick and easy way to diagnose ballast resistor failure is to bypass it by running a temporary jumper wire from the battery to the coil. If it starts and remains running, you’ve found the problem. Note: Only use a jumper temporarily to test the ballast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py9TcUqpa4w