Ignition Module Question

[Ballistic Banana]

After the RR session with MA he advised I changed mine after I had told him it was a cheapy to diagnose whether the other one was faulty or not, which it wasn't.

Anyhow the question is does it use its body as an earth to the bracket it sits on. Reason I ask this is I Undone it from the bracket a little (to get the connectors off). Plugged a goody on(not on bracket) and NO START. so pluged the first one back on which is sitting loosly in the braket. Fires up straight away. Then as i push it back tight to the plate it sparks and engine dies?? checked the wires etc and all seems good.

Interested in you opinions, I dont think it use the bracket as an earth but why would it do this. off to see if I get a Vd accross the back of the IM and the bracket.

BB

[dnb]

Going through similar ignition amp problems myself...
(And the radiator, but that's another story)

I think it uses the metal plate as a heatsink. If the insulation of the unit is breaking down, then it may be arcing to the metal plate when in close contact.
It's not a good theory, but it might work

There is a single little black wire that screws on to the metal plate. I presumed this was earth. I can't remember exactly how it all goes now.

[spend]

Dont discount the actual connecter terminals where it clamps on to the dizzy body! Note: bit confused are you talking about module fixed to dizzy body or the remote version?

Dave

[dnb]

Mine's the remote mount one. I didn't think anyone used the dizzy mounted ones any more.

[Tony N]

I had my module go down and whilst fitting a new one I tested it by balancing it on the alternator, it worked ok but as soon as I lifted it up - therefore breaking the earth connector the engine died.

[Steve_T]

There's an internal earth in the ingition module. The screw that holds the module on, makes the contact between the bracket and the metal threaded section within the ignition module to provide the earth. Learnt this the hard way too, as I also thought it was only a heat sink.

Regards,

Steve.

[Ballistic Banana]

Good to know, and another place to check (for rough running if loose), one of my screws ( oo err ) was crap so going to bolt it to the bracket.

BB