Killed Ignition Module Again - HELP!

[Chim_Pete]

The story so far:
Initially the car used to stall, whilst idling at traffic lights, and did not want to restart until after 5+ mins when it started and ran perfectly. It did this ~5 times over the course of several hundred miles, until one morning it conked out and didn't want to restart however long I waited. Checked for spark / fuel - nothing. Had to get RAC'd home.

Thanks to people's posts on here, and the bible, I did some troubleshooting and figured the ignition module may be faulty. Took it to local Lucas place who confirmed it was faulty and sold me a new DAB118 (£41).

Fitted it, started first time - I was chuffed.... until... it stalled again on the first journey out, the same as before, at a crossroads, (grin disappeared slightly). Started after ~5mins and did the rest of the journey fine. Went to start it the other day for another test drive and got... absolutely nothing... not a sausage. No spark again. Removed the ign. module reapplied more silicone compound, checked the wiring to the coil and refitted.... still nothing. tried spare coil too, nothing.

Took the module back to Lucas this morning and they confirmed it was dead again. They are replacing under warrenty thankfully.

MY QUESTION IS:
Is it likely/possible that something wrong with the car is damaging the ignition module? I don't want to fit another one, just for it to die again. I can't see how it could get damaged (from my limited understanding of its purpose in life), apart from heat maybe?

Any advice/previous tales of experience would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

Pete.

[GreenV8S]

If you've got the wrong spec coil, for example an uprated one or one designed to be used with a ballast resister, it could be drawing too much current for the ignition module to handle.

[STE VR]

I've just been through this myself.. very frustrating. Did you get it from LSUK?
The only reason i ask is because mine cost £41 and was boxed up in a Lucas box but it definately wasn't a genuine Lucas and it only had a sticker on it saying DAB118 but no Lucas markings. It was confirmed faulty after just 3 miles of running. I would buy one from a known source, maybe Tim at ACT products. I know they are a bit expensive but might cure your problems.

HTH and good luck

Steve

[The AJP Griff]

GreenV8S said:

If you've got the wrong spec coil, for example an uprated one or one designed to be used with a ballast resister, it could be drawing too much current for the ignition module to handle.

Or indeed a duff std coil,from personal experience.

[Chim_Pete]

STE VR said:

I've just been through this myself.. very frustrating. Did you get it from LSUK?
Steve

Hi Steve,

Yes! from LSUK. It did indeed come in a Lucas box, so I assumed it was the real deal, although i did think the big sticker "DAB118" was a bit Micky Mouse.

I think I managed about 6 miles on mine!

Hummm... Will be having words with LSUK and see if they can get me the genuine article or my money back.

Cheers - very helpful,

Pete.

[That Daddy]

This guy as the Gen ones with the embossed Lucas logo http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Keith-Gott-Landrovers

[Chim_Pete]

Thanks for the Keith Gott Link. He does indeed have them.

Steve - Did you managed to get a refund from LSUK? I'm struggling so far... :-(

[That Daddy]

Chim_Pete said:

Thanks for the Keith Gott Link. He does indeed have them.

Steve - Did you managed to get a refund from LSUK? I'm struggling so far... :-(

Glad to help

[STE VR]

Yep I got my money back, just gave them a bit of stick and they agreed to refund me. They didn't like me accusing them of selling Intermoto parts under a Lucas name tho!!

[Chim_Pete]

LSUK were insistant to supply another module and not giving me my £ back, so fitted another one of the intermotor items on Tuesday evening.

After getting nothing at first (loose pin in connector - probably where I'd been proding with a multimeter), it started first time and has been happy for over 150 miles now

So it seems that the 1st unit was faulty, or possible I wasn't liberal enough with the silicone compound (there was a good covering over the whole surface though), or thirdly the loose pin may have played a part, but I expect that was more me prodding around after the 1st replacement failed...

Thanks to all for helping me sort this out.

Cheers.

[That Daddy]

That silicone paste is crap,it just heats up and runs away from the joint,use PC CPU themal paste much better at heat tranfer i use Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Paste(just because i always have some)but there are other brands that will do the job just as well,remember the underbonnet temps these cars see,and that the modules life is greatly decreased if it runs hot due to poor heat transfer.

Edited by That Daddy on Saturday 26th April 15:53

[STE VR]

Pete, glad it all worked out. It's nice to fix your own problems now and again.

Happy motoring

Steve