hey guys so when i first got my new engine in the GT 3 months ago the first time i got it to fire up my MSD ignition coil crapped out, bought a new MSD coil and it worked, been running for 3-4 months now, Then yesterday the car died in the middle of the road, got it to my shop and my co worker found that the coil was not putting out a spark but was getting power and has a good ground. So that makes 2 coils in a 3 month period. whats the deal here?? Anyone else have this issue or know the cause??

Thanks

If you do a search on MSD coils I think you will find a spotty record when it comes to quality control. Those that like them swear by them, but a lot of folks stick with a stock system. The other issue may be too much resistance in your spark plug wires.

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 01-22-2015).]

ok so just a stock one might work better, I will give it a shot. Thanks

Any chance you've got a ballast resistor in there somewhere?

is that this guy??


I put a new coil on today and it fired up and ran but then it died again, new coil is dead. Found that the above object in the picture was 1 loose at its bolt position on the block and 2 the wires where melting a little. What is this thing in the pic? is this causing the coil to die every time?? how can I tell if its bad?? and if it is bad where can I get a new one??

Thanks

That's the tach filter.... it may be the problem. You can disconnect it, and connect the wires. The car should run, but the tach will be jumpy. Got another coil?

I can get another coil, ive done some research and found that if the ballast resistor is bad the coil will run hotter, but maybe my coils are just burning up. if thats the tach filter, below that you can see that there is another object that the wires run through that might be the ballast resistor. I really dont want to burn up another coil.

I can't see what's going on on the other end of those white wires....looks a little odd.

the next black section those wires run into is the ballast resistor. so im gonna test the resistor tomorrow with an ohm meter and make sure its good, then make sure i secure the tach filter to the block like it should be and then put a new coil on it. If the ballast resistor tests bad I will replace it.

quote Originally posted by FieroJosh1993: the next black section those wires run into is the ballast resistor.

Is there supposed to be a ballast resistor on there?

I don't recall seeing a ballast resistor on any of the three 2.8 Fieros (2x '86 and 1x '88) I have here.

Maybe you could take a better picture of this ballast resistor you've got so we can have a look at it.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 01-23-2015).]

will do.

Fieros did not have ballast resistors in the ignition system. They went away in the 70's........

quote Originally posted by Gall757: Fieros did not have ballast resistors in the ignition system.

That's what I figured (just from observing my own Fieros). We'll have to see a picture of whatever it is that the OP has.

Hi

Looks like the tach filter?

Ok so it is a tach filter. I don't have a ballast resistor. My next question is , can a bad tach filter cause the ign coil to burn up like it has 3 times now. Really need to find the cause of the coils burning up. I did replace my radio I have double checked all the wires and everything is good. So its something else, I check all the fuses and none are bad. The only Hong I can see is the tach filter wasn't grounded to the block and the wires are melting. Is this the cause??? Thanks

No wires should melt, so something is not right. I would get another tach filter and review this thread for other causes.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...120111-2-111313.html

Test the failed coils and post up the results.

quote Originally posted by FieroJosh1993: can a bad tach filter cause the ign coil to burn up like it has 3 times now.

Yes. Dead/dieing filter will "short" to ground and keep power flowing thru the coil.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

awesome thanks guys, I ordered a new filter from Rodney. I will take the coils to a parts store and get them tested on Monday.

just wanted to close this topic, got the GT running today, put the new tach filter on and new coil and she fired right up and stayed running.

Thanks again guys