2 bad ignition modules??

[deathegg]

My car ('88 festy) stopped dead 2 weeks ago,, and doing the test that FB71 told me about earlier this year, found that it was a ignition module. Ordered a new one, installed it, and did not start. Did test again = ignition module. I thought that they may have sent a bad one, so they agreed to replace it. Installed it, does not start. Test indicates a bad module (again??).

I have no idea now what to do. Am I doing something while installing it to short it out somehow? I've read that the module can be shorted out by a defective coil. Could I have a bad coil?

[25Horseplay]

Did you test the module before installing it? Most NAPA stores can test modules too.

[m715]

Also, as I understood it, Jim's tester for modules were only for FI cars, not carb models.
Did you replace only the module, and not the whole unit? Just curious. I have one car that is worse about popping modules than others. Did you check the "main" fuseable link?
I can't remember from the last thread what had been checked, etc.

Michael

[deathegg]

As far as I recall, the test procedure was valid for '88's (Jim had mentioned that the ICM was in the disty and may be hard to replace). Here is the link to my thread earlier this year:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19621&highlight=ignition+module+deathegg

No did NOT test module before installing... did not know there was a procedure for testing without it actually being installed?

main fusible links look ok, not burned or anything like that.

[batstiva]

Okay, in looking through the other thread you referenced, I'm wondering if you ever actually replaced the dizzy, which seemed to be where FB71 was wanting you to go. I'm also curious how you are going about changing just the module on a carbed car. My hayne's seems to indicate that if the module goes bad, you kind of have to change the whole dizzy because the module is integrated with the dizzy. Not doubting what you are saying, just wondering how you are doing it.

P.S. If you end up needing a known working dizzy, I have one that I got from Levitan. I got it just to have a spare, but if you need one to get up and running, it's yours.

[m715]

OK He also had a write up about making a tester at one point for FI. My mistake. I have to admit that I cheat with this problem, and have always had a "known good" handy for just this reason you have been struggling with. So it is back to not flashing on the negative terminal of the coil? If that is the case, and the modules have been good replacements, I have to pass this along.... I have a distributor that I now am fairly sure pops modules. I used it as long as I did because it came out of an ATX 89, and has different weighting for the spark advance (another story). After changing it out to another distributor body, I have had no more problems.... so far..... which leads me to question the pickup coil inside the dist as a possible problem, or the pigtail wiring harness. These, and the possibility of a faulty coil would be what I would be looking at if Jim's tests come out as before in February last year.
Once again, I would make sure you are getting power, and the same test results you got the last time. I have had no start conditions with ignition switches and fuse links till I switched those to PAL fuses before.

Oh, and it really isn't hard to change out a module in one of these distributors..... everything is screws, and female plugs off the wiring pigtail.

HTH
Michael

[deathegg]

Yes, I am getting to be an expert at replacing the icm on these cars,,, have it down to about 10 minutes!!

I'm having it towed tonight to my brothers mechanic,, my brother is going to pay for the repair I think. I'm tired of dealing with it. I do have a feeling that it's the coil.

[jmye1524]

deathegg.........read this thread...http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...t=26264&page=2.....and look at my post #15. I had the same problem, replaced the pickup coil but not the little black thing (still not sure the proper name or exact function) and it ran for about 5 min. then stopped. Replaced it again with a different black thingy and has been working since. What do you think ? I'm pretty sure the black thingy is for more than noise reduction in your radio.......

[worfdog]

I've put close to 11,000 miles on my 89 festiva without one of those condensers, the little black thingy, with no problem.

[jmye1524]

I didn't need to hear that............that shoots my theory all to he!!


.

[WmWatt]

For more info on the ICM look in www.ag384bn.bravehost.com/Cars.htm

[deathegg]

So, my mechanic today says that he really couldn't find anything wrong, but thinks it's the distributor, (I have a WTB thread going). However, he is not sure. The ignition systems on these cars is pretty simple., what could make these ICM's blow out? Also, What's stopping a replacement disty from not working if something else is making it bad?

He did say the coil was weak. I've read here that a weak coil can make the ICM go. I have a good used ICM. I'm tempted to tell him to get a new coil (if he hasn't done so already), and install this good ICM. Thoughts?

[25Horseplay]

I just saw a sign in Advance today that says they test ignition modules. Might go get them tested.