Hi,

999 cc Fire engine with Webber carb , Distributor with factory electronic ignition .

Engine is running fine for 5- 15 mins then cutting out dead , no sparks to plugs.

wait a bit and will restart and repeat the process

The Electronic ignition module on the distributor seems to be getting very hot to touch . [ but it is bolted to the dizzy which is also very hot from the normal engine temp. - heat transfer]

I think the module might be breaking down ?

or Could it be a faulty coil ?

Does anyone have any ideas

If anyone has a spare coil and /or ignition module that they know are good , I would gladly pay some beer tokens to borrow or buy them so i can do a direct replacement test for my components .

Cheers

Carl

Change the dizzy unit if you have a spare one to replace it . Classic case of dizzy failure, if you can do change it with a known working one.

I would , if only I could ,
My other Panda is fuel injected
and so is my spare engine

Anyone got a known , good distributer [electronic version ] they want to sell me ?

Or try with First Aid, like this (good way to find electronic ignition failure):

my diagnosis of the module failure was when the engine was running to put my thumb on it and the engine cut out

sort of opposite of your first aid

carlt said:

Hi,

999 cc Fire engine with Webber carb , Distributor with factory electronic ignition .

Engine is running fine for 5- 15 mins then cutting out dead , no sparks to plugs.

wait a bit and will restart and repeat the process

The Electronic ignition module on the distributor seems to be getting very hot to touch . [ but it is bolted to the dizzy which is also very hot from the normal engine temp. - heat transfer]

I think the module might be breaking down ?

or Could it be a faulty coil ?

Does anyone have any ideas

If anyone has a spare coil and /or ignition module that they know are good , I would gladly pay some beer tokens to borrow or buy them so i can do a direct replacement test for my components .

Cheers

Carl

Click to expand...

Anyway- it should not to become extreemly hot - specially non-after few minutes!!!!! It has to be a hot just as engine surface is. Inside the module there is a few very strong power transistors - and when this power transistor has - bad soldering points to PCB, they become extreemly hot. Even transistors- aluminum cooler box (visible outside)- can`t cool them to normal operating temperature. With frozen refrigerator cartrige - engine should run much-much- longer- than without this extra cooling ``first aid device``........Try to fix refrigerator cartrige with some duct-tape to cooler, and start the engine to run after cut out and see the result.
If this is the case, - try to deattache electronic module from distributor and to repair electronic ignition by re-soldering critical contacts inside on PCB circuit - specially power transistors. Overheated transistors could be seriously damaged.

All contacts worth to be inspected and cleaned too!!!

Check also distributor cap for internal crack.
Rgds

I put a volt meter across the battery terminals , when the engine is running the voltage at the battery rises to nearly 20V - I guess the Alternator regulator is faulty

Maybe this has damaged the Electronic Ignition Module ?

With the Alternator belt disconnected the Voltage at the battery is normal and the engine does run for longer before cutting out

I will take the module appart and check the connections as suggested

It was a new [from fiat] distributor only a couple of years ago

petel said:

Check also distributor cap for internal crack.
Rgds

Click to expand...

It does look like it has been tracking
would this cause total failure of sparks and overheating module ?

Definitely sounds like the module - had exactly the same on my Sisley. Unfortunately I had a duff new module & changed half the engine bay before trying a second new module - worked a treat & been fine for the last year!

They do get hot, but if hotter than the bit it's bolted to that is an indicator. Don't worry about the other parts to start with - module is a well known fault if you search the forum.

Gavin.

Just found a brand new ignition module on ebay if its any use:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-PANDA-STRADA-TIPO-UNO-NEW-MOTAQUIP-IGNITION-MODULE-/250471365152?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a5141ba20

panda1408 said:

Just found a brand new ignition module on ebay if its any use:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-PANDA-STRADA-TIPO-UNO-NEW-MOTAQUIP-IGNITION-MODULE-/250471365152?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a5141ba20

Click to expand...

Good find....cheap!!

Looks different to me, check out the casting at the wire end and look at the original one might just be me but do not think its a quick change over

Looks ok to me (certainly looks the same as my old duff one) - just bought one as a spare as it's a lot cheaper than the £32 I paid from a motor factor last time.

Got to be worth a punt at that price surely?