Ignition module

bobtodd · 08-16-2002, 10:59 AM

Still in the learning process here...
What exactly is the ignition module? Is it on the distributor where the wires plug into the distributor? How much does a new one cost? I am losing power above 4500 rpms and someone had mentioned getting it tested.
I suppose a Chilton could come in handy now..

PKRWUD · 08-17-2002, 07:48 AM

It's called the TFI module, and yes, it's on the side of the distributor. Expect to pay $45 +/- for a new one. How old is your coil?

Take care,
~Chris

bobtodd · 08-17-2002, 10:20 AM

I'm not sure how old the coil is on the car, but its a MSD Blaster coil. Is there anyway to test them to see if they are good? How do you know if your MSD ignition goes bad?

PKRWUD · 08-17-2002, 10:56 AM

I'm 90% sure it's the coil.

Disconnect the wires from the coil.
Set a DMM to ohms, and measure the resistance across the primary terminals (small + & -). It should be between .3 and 1.0 ohms.
Next, measure between the primary neg terminal (small -) and the secondary terminal (where the coil wire from the distributor goes). It should be between 8 and 11.5 k-ohms.

If it fails either test, replace the coil.

Take care,
~Chris

bobtodd · 08-17-2002, 01:20 PM

I've got a MSD Blaster 3 coil.
primary terminals showed a .3, but it would show it for a split second and go down to .1 and finally to no reading. Is that suppose to happen? I would leave the negative probe on pull off the positive and put the positive back on and it would do the same everytime... .3,.1, and nothing.
Primary neg. terminal to secondary terminal showed 4.85
These readings are with all wires pulled from the coil.
Time for a new coil?
Is there any way to check the MSD ignition box to see if it's running up to par also?

PKRWUD · 08-17-2002, 01:35 PM

Your coil is crapping out on you, and needs to be replaced. This may or may not solve all your problems (probably will), but it definitely needs to be replaced.

I'm not aware of any similar tests for an MSD box. When they fail, they tend to quit completely.

Take care,
~Chris

bobtodd · 08-17-2002, 01:47 PM

I guess I'll look into getting another coil. Any suggestions?
Do you race a sprint car yourself? I use to live down by Knoxville, Iowa a few years back when I was younger and that area is big into that.

PKRWUD · 08-17-2002, 02:18 PM

I crew for Jim Porter. My balls aren't big enough to drive one of those puppies.

Is there anyway you can borrow a coil first? I just did some checking, and the numbers MSD gives for their coils are all over the place. Your primary numbers are still bad, but I'd feel better if you could borrow a coil to test it before spending the money on a new one. I'm still confident that you need a new coil, but again, it's your money. As far as a replacement, it's up to you.

Take care,
~Chris

bobtodd · 08-18-2002, 01:05 PM

A new Blaster Coil is like 35 bucks in Summit. I think I'll just buy a new one and see how it works. Once again THANK YOU for your help!! Where did you get the numbers from MSD to test the coil?

PKRWUD · 08-18-2002, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bobtodd
A new Blaster Coil is like 35 bucks in Summit. I think I'll just buy a new one and see how it works. Once again THANK YOU for your help!! Where did you get the numbers from MSD to test the coil?

My catalog rack.

Take care,
~Chris

08-16-2002, 10:59 AM	#1
bobtodd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: WI, U.S Posts: 255	Ignition module Still in the learning process here... What exactly is the ignition module? Is it on the distributor where the wires plug into the distributor? How much does a new one cost? I am losing power above 4500 rpms and someone had mentioned getting it tested. I suppose a Chilton could come in handy now.. __________________ 91 LX - 10.5:1 pistons, ported 289 heads, Ultradyne 588 cam, Cobra upper/lower, MSD, JBA long tube headers, Flowmaster, Richmond 4:10, roll cage, monster tach...FUN!! 95 SHO - K&N filter

08-17-2002, 07:48 AM	#2
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	It's called the TFI module, and yes, it's on the side of the distributor. Expect to pay $45 +/- for a new one. How old is your coil? Take care, ~Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

08-17-2002, 10:20 AM	#3
bobtodd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: WI, U.S Posts: 255	I'm not sure how old the coil is on the car, but its a MSD Blaster coil. Is there anyway to test them to see if they are good? How do you know if your MSD ignition goes bad? __________________ 91 LX - 10.5:1 pistons, ported 289 heads, Ultradyne 588 cam, Cobra upper/lower, MSD, JBA long tube headers, Flowmaster, Richmond 4:10, roll cage, monster tach...FUN!! 95 SHO - K&N filter

08-17-2002, 10:56 AM	#4
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I'm 90% sure it's the coil. Disconnect the wires from the coil. Set a DMM to ohms, and measure the resistance across the primary terminals (small + & -). It should be between .3 and 1.0 ohms. Next, measure between the primary neg terminal (small -) and the secondary terminal (where the coil wire from the distributor goes). It should be between 8 and 11.5 k-ohms. If it fails either test, replace the coil. Take care, ~Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

08-17-2002, 01:20 PM	#5
bobtodd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: WI, U.S Posts: 255	I've got a MSD Blaster 3 coil. primary terminals showed a .3, but it would show it for a split second and go down to .1 and finally to no reading. Is that suppose to happen? I would leave the negative probe on pull off the positive and put the positive back on and it would do the same everytime... .3,.1, and nothing. Primary neg. terminal to secondary terminal showed 4.85 These readings are with all wires pulled from the coil. Time for a new coil? Is there any way to check the MSD ignition box to see if it's running up to par also? __________________ 91 LX - 10.5:1 pistons, ported 289 heads, Ultradyne 588 cam, Cobra upper/lower, MSD, JBA long tube headers, Flowmaster, Richmond 4:10, roll cage, monster tach...FUN!! 95 SHO - K&N filter

08-17-2002, 01:35 PM	#6
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Your coil is crapping out on you, and needs to be replaced. This may or may not solve all your problems (probably will), but it definitely needs to be replaced. I'm not aware of any similar tests for an MSD box. When they fail, they tend to quit completely. Take care, ~Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

08-17-2002, 01:47 PM	#7
bobtodd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: WI, U.S Posts: 255	I guess I'll look into getting another coil. Any suggestions? Do you race a sprint car yourself? I use to live down by Knoxville, Iowa a few years back when I was younger and that area is big into that. __________________ 91 LX - 10.5:1 pistons, ported 289 heads, Ultradyne 588 cam, Cobra upper/lower, MSD, JBA long tube headers, Flowmaster, Richmond 4:10, roll cage, monster tach...FUN!! 95 SHO - K&N filter

08-17-2002, 02:18 PM	#8
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I crew for Jim Porter. My balls aren't big enough to drive one of those puppies. Is there anyway you can borrow a coil first? I just did some checking, and the numbers MSD gives for their coils are all over the place. Your primary numbers are still bad, but I'd feel better if you could borrow a coil to test it before spending the money on a new one. I'm still confident that you need a new coil, but again, it's your money. As far as a replacement, it's up to you. Take care, ~Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

08-18-2002, 01:05 PM	#9
bobtodd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: WI, U.S Posts: 255	A new Blaster Coil is like 35 bucks in Summit. I think I'll just buy a new one and see how it works. Once again THANK YOU for your help!! Where did you get the numbers from MSD to test the coil? __________________ 91 LX - 10.5:1 pistons, ported 289 heads, Ultradyne 588 cam, Cobra upper/lower, MSD, JBA long tube headers, Flowmaster, Richmond 4:10, roll cage, monster tach...FUN!! 95 SHO - K&N filter

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