The Ford Barn - View Single Post

Benson · 04-23-2021, 08:18 AM

Here is something that I learned 55 years ago while fixing IBM machines in Vietnam.

"There is more to troubleshooting than replacing parts."

"Newer" cars can have problems with electronic ignitions also.

My brother had a '90s Chevy Suburban for years.

The HEI modules in the distributor started to repeatedly burn out.

Every 5, 50, 75 or 100 miles sometimes as long as 1500 miles.

Numerous GM dealers and none dealer shops tried to fix it and could not find the problem.

These guys replaced the HEI modules ... but never fixed the problem!

One day i suggested something to try which I had seen on Model As, which had not been tried after John mentioned some previous work that had been done on the Suburban.

The transfer case had been rebuilt just before all of this started...

There were several ground cables from the upper part of the transmission / transfer case to the body which had not been re installed.

They installed the braided ground cables and this fixed the problem for good.

04-23-2021, 08:18 AM	#13
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,609	Re: Modern Ignition System Problem Here is something that I learned 55 years ago while fixing IBM machines in Vietnam. "There is more to troubleshooting than replacing parts." "Newer" cars can have problems with electronic ignitions also. My brother had a '90s Chevy Suburban for years. The HEI modules in the distributor started to repeatedly burn out. Every 5, 50, 75 or 100 miles sometimes as long as 1500 miles. Numerous GM dealers and none dealer shops tried to fix it and could not find the problem. These guys replaced the HEI modules ... but never fixed the problem! One day i suggested something to try which I had seen on Model As, which had not been tried after John mentioned some previous work that had been done on the Suburban. The transfer case had been rebuilt just before all of this started... There were several ground cables from the upper part of the transmission / transfer case to the body which had not been re installed. They installed the braided ground cables and this fixed the problem for good. Last edited by Benson; 04-26-2021 at 05:11 PM.