Coil pack problems / #3 coil smokes and boils out

Texas Turbo T · 01-24-2008, 09:58 PM

Hello, my 87' WE4 started running poorly so I installed new fuel filter, new plugs, had a older set of new plug wires, and a new ACCEL coil pack. Went to start it and engine ran VERY POORLY. Rechecked spark plug wiring order and they were correct. I restarted the engine. Coil #3 started smoking and glue/plastic/whatever that stuff was started boiling out. So I turned it off and removed the coil. The wires from the module were melted into to blue stuff??????

Any help???????????

Thanks!

Big John

Steve Wood · 01-24-2008, 11:04 PM

sounds like you need a new module and coil pack

Texas Turbo T · 01-24-2008, 11:23 PM

Hello, I have a new ACCEL coil pack and I am looking for a ignition module. Is that what cause the coil pack to short out? What is the best to use, GM, NAPA, ??????????

ULYCYC · 01-25-2008, 08:22 AM

Make sure wiring is correct before you smoke the new one.

JimP · 01-25-2008, 09:41 AM

Also make sure that the leads on the ignition module which plug into the coil pack are not being pushed into that plastic / waxy type material on the ignition module when you mate the coil pack to the ignition. If this is the case it will cause a short too. Ask me how I know! Have a close look at the one you took off, can you see that the hard plastic / wax material has been damage or pushed through by the clip.

Sorry I don't know the technical names for these tabs!

Orlando_87GN · 01-25-2008, 09:49 AM

I've seen an Accel coil pack for our cars do the same thing, it's the one with the gold color contacts. Car ran poorly and didn't figure the problem out until one of us touched the top of the coilpack, ouch! The middle bank was too hot to touch. Wonder if the Accel coilpacks are just flakey or if it was just a fluke. I was going to pick one up because they are supposed to be higher quality and put out more volts. Curious if the original poster had it wired correctly inside and if any of the contacts were shorting out. Didn't Caspers have an article on how easy it was to cause a short because the wires were laying in the wrong direction?

Steve Wood · 01-25-2008, 10:21 AM

yes, John posted some pictures of how to make sure the module does not get fried when installing.

So far, I have not had a problem with my Accel coils, but there is always tomorrow.

If I had a coil pack that was hot and smoking, I would replace it when I replaced the module, but, then that is just me.

Steve Wood · 01-25-2008, 10:41 AM

http://www.installationinstructions....ci-failure.pdf

Texas Turbo T · 01-25-2008, 06:26 PM

Hello, the ACCEL coil was sent from Summit Racing with the pins bent up. They had been pushed through the box while being shipped to me. The rep. told me to go ahead and install it. Well, I see how good of advise that was! Now the module looks to be melted. They did send me another coil yesterday that looked to be in good shape.

Well, guess I will throw some more money at it and get a new module to install at the same time.

Is there a better module to get for the car?

Thank you all for the information, much needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recklessrob · 01-31-2008, 10:27 PM

I've had a couple of modules that also had a sheet of thin plastic
to protect the blue goo from the coil pack terminals.

Steve Wood · 01-31-2008, 11:16 PM

Factory module as others state

Texas Turbo T · 02-03-2008, 01:50 PM

Hello, today I installed the new coil pack on my existing module. It seem to be running much better! Have not seen any smoke or bubbling out like before. The first coil pack had some damage during shipping. The plugs had been punched through the box it was shipped in and they were bent up real bad. The Summit tech I spoke with told me to go ahead and install it, as I did. 10 seconds into it was when the coil started smoking. I did not see any burnt spots on the module from the wires though.

Car seems to be running better, it still seems to hesitate around 15# boost like before. Running 93 pump with octane booster. Today I am checking the fuel pressure.

I am still going to replace the module with a GM asap!

Thanks for all the great help!

Big John

01-24-2008, 09:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Texas Turbo T Don't Mess With Texas! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Central Texas Posts: 461	Coil pack problems / #3 coil smokes and boils out Hello, my 87' WE4 started running poorly so I installed new fuel filter, new plugs, had a older set of new plug wires, and a new ACCEL coil pack. Went to start it and engine ran VERY POORLY. Rechecked spark plug wiring order and they were correct. I restarted the engine. Coil #3 started smoking and glue/plastic/whatever that stuff was started boiling out. So I turned it off and removed the coil. The wires from the module were melted into to blue stuff?????? Any help??????????? Thanks! Big John

01-24-2008, 11:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	sounds like you need a new module and coil pack __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

01-25-2008, 08:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
ULYCYC Fuhgeddaboudit Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 16,721	Make sure wiring is correct before you smoke the new one. __________________ ED BAKER 87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror.. 93 PARK AVE"SUPERCHARGED" BPG#1458 My Photo Page buickperformancegroup.com "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."---H.L. Mencken 1927

01-25-2008, 09:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Orlando_87GN Resident Idiot Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 10,458	I've seen an Accel coil pack for our cars do the same thing, it's the one with the gold color contacts. Car ran poorly and didn't figure the problem out until one of us touched the top of the coilpack, ouch! The middle bank was too hot to touch. Wonder if the Accel coilpacks are just flakey or if it was just a fluke. I was going to pick one up because they are supposed to be higher quality and put out more volts. Curious if the original poster had it wired correctly inside and if any of the contacts were shorting out. Didn't Caspers have an article on how easy it was to cause a short because the wires were laying in the wrong direction? __________________ Check Out MikesStuff4Sale.com to view my used parts! ------------------------------------------------ 1987 Buick Grand National Budget 4.1, 204/214 cam, TA-49 Turbo, Stockish Heads, V4, MSD50's, TH DP, JayJackson 62mm TB, Translator plus Extender powered. 3680# with pilot ------------------------------------------------ 1993 Mazda RX-7 4.1 Buick Powered 11.20 @ 128mph (2.4 60')!

01-25-2008, 10:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	yes, John posted some pictures of how to make sure the module does not get fried when installing. So far, I have not had a problem with my Accel coils, but there is always tomorrow. If I had a coil pack that was hot and smoking, I would replace it when I replaced the module, but, then that is just me. __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

01-24-2008, 11:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Texas Turbo T Don't Mess With Texas! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Central Texas Posts: 461	Hello, I have a new ACCEL coil pack and I am looking for a ignition module. Is that what cause the coil pack to short out? What is the best to use, GM, NAPA, ??????????

01-25-2008, 09:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
JimP Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 140	Also make sure that the leads on the ignition module which plug into the coil pack are not being pushed into that plastic / waxy type material on the ignition module when you mate the coil pack to the ignition. If this is the case it will cause a short too. Ask me how I know! Have a close look at the one you took off, can you see that the hard plastic / wax material has been damage or pushed through by the clip. Sorry I don't know the technical names for these tabs!

01-25-2008, 10:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	http://www.installationinstructions....ci-failure.pdf __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

01-25-2008, 06:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Texas Turbo T Don't Mess With Texas! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Central Texas Posts: 461	Hello, the ACCEL coil was sent from Summit Racing with the pins bent up. They had been pushed through the box while being shipped to me. The rep. told me to go ahead and install it. Well, I see how good of advise that was! Now the module looks to be melted. They did send me another coil yesterday that looked to be in good shape. Well, guess I will throw some more money at it and get a new module to install at the same time. Is there a better module to get for the car? Thank you all for the information, much needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

01-31-2008, 10:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
Recklessrob Booted from the 2nd Floor Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Derry,NH Posts: 177	I've had a couple of modules that also had a sheet of thin plastic to protect the blue goo from the coil pack terminals. __________________ Rob "Live Free or Die !" Independent Amsoil Dealer

01-31-2008, 11:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,175	Factory module as others state __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

02-03-2008, 01:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
Texas Turbo T Don't Mess With Texas! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Central Texas Posts: 461	Hello, today I installed the new coil pack on my existing module. It seem to be running much better! Have not seen any smoke or bubbling out like before. The first coil pack had some damage during shipping. The plugs had been punched through the box it was shipped in and they were bent up real bad. The Summit tech I spoke with told me to go ahead and install it, as I did. 10 seconds into it was when the coil started smoking. I did not see any burnt spots on the module from the wires though. Car seems to be running better, it still seems to hesitate around 15# boost like before. Running 93 pump with octane booster. Today I am checking the fuel pressure. I am still going to replace the module with a GM asap! Thanks for all the great help! Big John Last edited by Texas Turbo T : 02-03-2008 at 01:59 PM.

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