Ignition help!

[buddys06]

I replaced the points distributor with a mallory electronic unit, I used it with a coil that doesn't require an external resistor, also a mallory.
I was cruising around and all of a sudden it started poping and then quit.
I started checking around for loose wires and found the coil to hot to touch!
So I put the original coil back on to get back and when I parked the boat I felt the coil and it was also pretty hot. Any ideas what is wrong?

 

[sundowner205]

Re: Ignition help!

Are there any possible cracks in either of the coil towers? Have you inspected them carefully for such cracks?

 

[buddys06]

Re: Ignition help!

I'll look in the morning, so that could cause the coil to overheat?
I did notice the coil had oil seeping out at the top.

 

[sundowner205]

Re: Ignition help!

I'll look in the morning, so that could cause the coil to overheat?
I did notice the coil had oil seeping out at the top.

If there is oil leaking from the tower or canister then it is definitely cracked, most likely from overheating.

When you replaced the distributor with the new electronic unit did you check and reset the timing?

Certain electronic ignition systems have specific requirements for coil voltage and resistance. I believe that the resistance should be no more than 1.4 ohms. If it is lower than that, it will cause a doubling or more of the coil current. This will cause the coil to overheat and the distributor to work twice as hard.

If you are unsure of the coil's voltage then you need to get a meter and check the resistance across the + & - leads. You may need a resistor with that setup.

We need to determine what is causing this. Perhaps excessive voltage. One of the experts will chime in here shortly I assume, and be able to add more insight than myself.

 

[buddys06]

Re: Ignition help!

Yes I set timing, the boat was running like a dream for about 20-30 min. then started poping and sputering then quit. The new coil was recomended by mallory and had oil sepage before it was installed.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Ignition help!

You had oil seepage of a coil before you installed it?

Was defective before you ever got it.

And the old coil is real hot also?

The coil is getting to mush juice.

I don't see year, model, whatever of boat in your post.

But no resister wire was on the boat before you installed the new ignition?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Ignition help!

Make sure that the electronic pickup module is being powered off the negative side of the coil and not the + , just a guess and I don't know if it would even run that way but just make sure.

 

[sundowner205]

Re: Ignition help!

I agree with the chief - you had a defective coil to begin with. However, it is still getting too much juice. You probably will need to install a resistor.

 

[buddys06]

Re: Ignition help!

You had oil seepage of a coil before you installed it?

Was defective before you ever got it.

And the old coil is real hot also?

The coil is getting to mush juice.

I don't see year, model, whatever of boat in your post.

But no resister wire was on the boat before you installed the new ignition?

Someone had replaced the resistor wire with a regular wire and put in an internal resistor coil instead. I did find what looks like a hairline crack in the new coil with what appears to be carbon tracking.
After doing some research I found out that internal ballast coils DO get very hot 200+ deg. is not uncommon!
Where can I get the loom resistance wire that was originally installed? Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Ignition help!

In all due respect sir, you didn't post year, make, model of this boat.

There are some real wizards here that can help.

Only you need to give us some INFO.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Ignition help!

A hot coil is normal.
The rest obviously is not.
Is the ignition CDI?
The module will require a specific resistance coil - usually anywhere from 1-6 ohms. You might check this out.

 

[buddys06]

Re: Ignition help!

If it helps, The boat is a 1979 Wellcraft 196 sunhatch w/original 305 motor,so no cdi.
as I stated it was points and now has a Mallory replacement made specifically to drop in to a marine motor, with electronics built in. According to the manual it did have a loom resistance wire inline but was removed before I took possesion of it. The coil is the standard round style.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Ignition help!

Put in a coil with internal resistor.Then get the Chrysler/Volvo resistor and install it also.Usually when they start replacing wires in the harness this will stop the overheating of the coil.Jerry

 

[buddys06]

Re: Ignition help!

Thanks Jerry, is the volvo/chrysler resistor a marine boat part?

 

[newport dave]

Re: Ignition help!

Put in a coil with internal resistor.Then get the Chrysler/Volvo resistor and install it also.Usually when they start replacing wires in the harness this will stop the overheating of the coil.Jerry

Put in a coil with internal resisitor and a ballast resistor? Really? That would seriously impair the ignition system performance.

What model Mallory distributor did you install? Does it say that it requires a ballast resistor or resistor coil? Most electronic ignitions have internal current limiting circuits, so they don't require a resistor.

 

[buddys06]

Re: Ignition help!

Here is the distributor I installed http://bpi.ebasicpower.com/p/MAL9-26000/ The directions it came with said to use some sort of resistor or you will burn out the distributor.

 

[newport dave]

Re: Ignition help!

Ok, if it has to have a resistor, I would use an external ballast resistor and non-resistor coil. Did you replace the plugs? If so, what did you gap them at? Are you sure the distributor module is properly grounded?