Igniter repair?

[bugbor]

Tried posting about this in the thread for the sticky about EFI distributor but got no response, so I'll give it a shot here.
'89 FI AutoTrans, died on me on the way to work. Pulled over and couldn't see anything right off, so I swapped out the ignition module for a know used one. That was Thursday, and the car's still running fine. Found another spare in my tool box, since I look for these every time in hit a JY. Now I'm down to my last spare, and I'm wondering if anybody knows of a bench test for these outside the distributor and whether they can be repaired/re-built. If it hasn't been tried, I might try takin' it apart just for the experience.
BTW, the part is Igniter J 207.

[Tim]

The ignitor is basically a computer chip that controls the ignition. When it dies it can't be repaired, only replaced.

Also, remember that heat is the enemy of chips, so you might want to put some conductive paste on the back of the ignitor before installing it. A used one should be much cheaper than a new one, so I'd go that route if possible.

Auto parts stores should be able to test your ignitor for you. Someone with more knowledge that me probably has a nice procedure for bench testing.


Hope this helps. I had the same thing happen to my Volvo 740, and my ignitor chose to die at a gas station when I was with my girlfriend. We ended up having to walk home (3 miles) and she was wearing flip flops....

-Tim

[bugbor]

Thanks, Tim. I did find my last spare, so I'll have to check the JY for as many more of 'em as I can find. I'd much rather pay the 5 bucks apiece there than the cost of new. If the one that I just pulled out is already toast, maybe I'll go ahead and see if I can get it apart (if all else fails, get a bigger hammer) and see how it looks.

[Tim]

Who knows, the duds may look toasted on the inside....

Only one way to find out!

[WmWatt]

I looked into it (literally) and put what I learned in a webpage at
http:// www.ag384bn.bravehost.com/Cars.htm

[WmWatt]

P.S. I'm pretty sure what Ford calls the igniter is the pickup on the distributor shaft.
The black module at the top of the distributor is generically the transistorized points or in Ford talk the ignition control module.

[bugbor]

WmWatt- great write up. Guess I'll hold on to all the bad ones from now on, just on the off-chance that you'll become the expert on fixin' the danged things.