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Topic: Burning up ignition module (Read 2944 times) previous topic - next topic

Burning up ignition module

Hello everyone.
I'm in the process of changing the wiring harness that goes through the firewall and behind the dash.
I found that my fuse box have a couple of areas burnt. I also found that my heater control harness was melted on one side and that my wiper switch harness was melted to. I also found that my in switch harness was broke in two pieces.
So I found a good wiring harness and im going through whole process of changing it all.
One question I have is...would all the problems I found with my old harness cause IGN module problem.
I've been going through modules about every 2-3 months and right B4 I decided to change the wiring harness... I couldn't even drive the car 5 miles before it started cutting out and stalling.
I know if the module harness is separate from the one I'm replacing but I figured this would be a good start.

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #1 –
You mean the TFI module on the distributor (or radiator support, depending on you car's year and engine option) keeps dying? What brand of module are you running? Motorcraft is usually the best for longevity.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #2 –
I've use Accel and both burn up quickly. I've been running the lifetime warranty ones but I've been afraid to get a motorcraft with only a 1yr warranty.
I know that sounds crazy but I never had many problems until last year.
That's why I wondered about the wiring harness and I found all them problems and thought that just maybe the system has a problem. I did get a motorcraft module awhile back and it didn't last long...but I'm not sure if it was really a motorcraft because motorcraft wasn't stamp on module.
Like I said in my last post... before I tore the car down to replace wiring harness I couldn't drive 5miles without car stalling. This is after putting a new module on it and when I did make it back home....I touched the module and it was extremely hot. So that's why I'm assuming it's in my wiring

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #3 –
Make sure you don't have an overvoltage situation. At the battery you should not go over 14-14.5 volts with the engine running.
The TFI modules normally run hot and will overheat without the thermal grease between the module and the distributor.

What year and engine car do you have?

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #4 –
88 but I'm putting 87 wiring harness in it. My alternator is for a 87 too. I put grease behind each module I replaced.

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #5 –
Car is a factor turbo car

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #6 –
My EVTM's show the 88 Turbo Coupe having a Mitsubishi alternator and the 87 having a 2G alternator.
Were you running the 2G before the wiring harness change?
If so was it plug and play or did you make some wiring changes to make it work?

The regulator controls the voltage output by pulsing the ground side of the field coil. If the ground side of the field coil gets permanently grounded, the voltage can go high enough to damage stuff.
The 2G alternator has screw terminal  (F) on it that goes to the ground side of the field coil. This is for "full field" testing.

Anyhoo, It's worth checking the voltage at the battery to make sure it's where it should be.

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #7 –
Thanks for that information. I didn't know about the alternator difference. A few years ago when I bought the car...it literally drained me dry after having to do alot of work to it.
Anyway I had bought a 87 tc for parts and my alternator went out so I swapped out the alternators. Now I didn't have many problems until I put a new alternator on it about a year and half ago. When I put the first alternator on it I did have to cut one of the wires to make 87 alternator work.  I didn't think it would hurt it but I guess I was wrong. But I do have a 87  wiring harness that matches alternator.
I'm installing that harness now hoping that it fixes some of my problems.
I hope I'm not doing all this for nothing.
This is some of the things my car was doing.
Burning up TFI.
Turn on fog lights and headlights go out.
Gauges act funny sometimes..like jumping..maxing out and speedo reading 25mph when sitting still and reving it.
Fuel pump stays on for about 30sec after switch is off.
Turn on heater controls and I could watch the speedo and tach jump up.
This is why I decided to change the wiring harness plus there were wire harnesses burnt in system.
When I bought car I noticed that the fuse box had two burnt area's. One area had no fuse in it but everything that that fuse run worked. The other area has a fuse and is burnt around fuse.
Thanks for your help
 

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #8 –
WOW. .That's a lot of problems.
I hope your cable harness swap includes the fuse box.
Let us know what you have after the swap.

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #9 –
Yes..it has lots problems.
The harness I have included fuse box and all relays and a clutch safety switch.
I've been busy working on other ppls vehicles but I'm just now starting to replace harness.
Car had been sitting since January and now I got to remember how it all goes together.
I'll let u know what happens.
Thanks for help

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #10 –
holly  dude!!!!!!!
listen ,,, your car is a 1988

your installing a 87 harness in an 88 chassis.

first off, there are several finite reasons "why" there is a dedicated EVTM to **JUST** 1988 and more specifically and importantly is the TC 2.3L with respect to the differences on the alternator plus a few other areas.

you better be darn careful.

since this is a new board,, i cant access all the info i would dump your way but again,, you best have both evtms at your disposal.

if you want them,, i can send you my photo bucket link.  this new board wont let me list them anymore for  reasons of qty of characters and other things.  I gotta get use to this board and all the missing pics.
 

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #11 –
Hello everyone I'm back.
I've been working on car and I got harness in car.
I don't really understand all this EVTM stuff.
I've gotten over my head with this car. I should have just kept my 88 5.0 sport but I want a TC.
To be honest I'm not the world's smartest on some of the technical stuff of these cars.
If I've done wrong with what I did then I would like to know. I could use help with a wiring diagram.
I got car running now but I don't have everything hooked up.
I didn't realize that 87-88 had so many difference between them.
I realized the alternator was different, but I didn't know any of this until after joined the sighting 13.
I got the car in 12 and that's when all my problems began.
I know I've probably made mistakes and I really don't want criticism...just some help.
So any help y'all can give would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #12 –
Thanks Jay for your information and I would like the EVTM that u were talking about

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #13 –
Some of your issues do sound like an over-voltage problem. It's hard to say without putting a multi-meter on it and seeing what your charge voltages are.

Since your problems seemed to stem from an alternator problem, that's where I would start.

Personally, I wouldn't waste much more time with the factory alternators, and would go right to a 3G alternator. They are much more robust, and even the lower amp rated alternators are higher than what our cars came with from the factory.

https://turbotbird.com/thread-3g-alternator-install

Years ago, I used that article to do the 3g swap, and while it seems a little confusing at first, it's actually pretty simple once you get down to it. I used a junkyard alternator from a Taurus and never had an issue while I owned that car.
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Burning up ignition module

Reply #14 –
Well that sucks because I had to replace the alternator wit a new stock because mine was bad.
I also replaced tfi module. I wanted to get a motorcraft module but the parts store can't get them.
I'm wondering if there are some system that are on the car that I'm not using should I unplug the power supply to them.
Like the abs.. stereo amp...and ride control system