Ignition woes

[Dave G]

91 Festiva, totally stock. A couple days ago the engine died on the road (it was raining) and would not immediately re-start. I got out and wiggled wires for a while, and it did start. On the way home it died again at a light, and this time re-started without me opening the hood. The next day it started and ran fine in the morning and I attributed the problem to the rain - wrong! Later on it died again on the road and no amount of wire wiggling helped. Got a neighbor to tow me home (that big rope finally came in handy!). Went out this afternoon to push it into the garage and it started, but died in a few seconds and would not re-start.

So I've got it in the garage and I'm checking things over. There is no spark from the center wire of the coil when cranking. The coil wire is good. Looking at page 5-4 of the Haynes manual, I've checked for voltage to the ignition module - have got 12 volts at terminal "IDM". I don't have the LED test lamp they suggest for checking the signal from the module but I'll get one tomorrow. In the mean time, which of the two wires that connect to the coil is the "IDM" wire they refer to? Is it the upper one or the lower one? (Please see attached picture). Also, is Haynes correct that the test lamp is connected to the POSITIVE battery terminal?

My coil is a bit out of spec - I'm getting about 700 ohms between the two harness terminals, not 900 to 1,200 as the manual says - is that too far out?

Also, referring to my photograph, what its that little thing next to the coil?

Finally, can I trust a decent parts store to test the ignition module?

Anything else I ought to be looking at?

Thanks!

[GenevaDirt]

I would check the fusible links and their connections. Make sure they are intact and no corrosion. Replace with cartridge fuses if you are unsure of them.

[eurotiva]

That little thing is called a condenser. I had the same issue and it was the pickup coil inside the distributor. Less than $30 at any auto parts store.

[resuwrecked]

The yellow/grn wire to the coil (upper) is the signal, lower thick wire should be 12v with ignition switched on. And yes you do want the test light connected to the positive terminal when testing at that yel/grn when cranking. That wire is grounded each time the coil fires. Do you have a tach? If you do, when it does not start does it read any rpm? If not and you dont get a flashing test light at the coil sig wire when cranking then you have a bad pickup. I think you may have gotten erroneous resistance readings from your coil, they are usually either good or bad, not intermittent.

[FestYboy]

also check for oil leaking into the distro, it can disturb the ign signal.

[econoaddict]

I had the same issue and it was the pickup coil inside the distributor. Less than $30 at any auto parts store.

Any chance on a part # ??

All the numbers around here end up discontinued and unavailable, been living on used distributors and would feel much better having an extra module on hand.

[Dave G]

Thanks, everyone! I think I've got a happy ending here... I remembered I had a spare distributor - put it in and so far so good.

[WmWatt]

There is a writeup on the ICM at www.ag384bn.bravehost.com/Cars.htm with the website address of the tester maker. I was told it will not damage the module no matter how the it is hooked up.