Quick help with cap and rotor please... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chevelle454 · 05-05-2005, 10:16 PM

I just replaced my cap and rotor and coil on my '84 caprice, 305. The new coil instructions said that you MUST hook up a secondary ground going from the metal part of the coil to the wiring harness that plugs into the cap, or both the coil and cap will be destroyed. The old coil did not have this secondary ground, and there was not a wire with the terminals that I need included with the new coil to put this ground wire in.

So I put the new cap, rotor, and coil in and now the alternator makes a clicking sound as the car idles. Is this normal maybe or could it be arcing all over under the cap? Is my coil about to explode because I did not put in the "required" ground that didn't exist in the first place? Please help if you have any ideas...

Thanks
-Scott

*Randy70C-10* · 05-05-2005, 10:41 PM

Every HEI that I've ever had did have the secondary ground installed, that clicking could very well be the cap arching but I'm not 100% sure, I've never tried running without that ground.

Chevelle454 · 05-05-2005, 11:52 PM

Well, I took it back apart. The 2 power wires for the coil were really burned up, almost all the insulation was gone off of them. I took pieces from the old coil and I made that 2nd ground wire that is required. Now, it no longer clicks, but only when in park or neutral. When I put the car into gear, the distributor will start to click again. Now I am really lost... why would it be doing this? All I did was change a cap, rotor, and coil!

cableguy0 · 05-06-2005, 02:38 AM

you HAVE to run that ground strap to the wiring harness you will cook the module and every other electronic component in the ignition system in short order if not. someone musta removed at one time or another along the way because they have to be in there

jhow66 · 05-06-2005, 02:48 PM

Here is what you are missing: -get at NAPA (called HEI coil ground strap)

jhow66 · 05-06-2005, 03:05 PM

See if this will help:

05-05-2005, 10:16 PM	#1
Chevelle454 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 380	Quick help with cap and rotor please... I just replaced my cap and rotor and coil on my '84 caprice, 305. The new coil instructions said that you MUST hook up a secondary ground going from the metal part of the coil to the wiring harness that plugs into the cap, or both the coil and cap will be destroyed. The old coil did not have this secondary ground, and there was not a wire with the terminals that I need included with the new coil to put this ground wire in. So I put the new cap, rotor, and coil in and now the alternator makes a clicking sound as the car idles. Is this normal maybe or could it be arcing all over under the cap? Is my coil about to explode because I did not put in the "required" ground that didn't exist in the first place? Please help if you have any ideas... Thanks -Scott __________________ 1972 C10 1972 C20

05-05-2005, 11:52 PM	#3
Chevelle454 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 380	Well, I took it back apart. The 2 power wires for the coil were really burned up, almost all the insulation was gone off of them. I took pieces from the old coil and I made that 2nd ground wire that is required. Now, it no longer clicks, but only when in park or neutral. When I put the car into gear, the distributor will start to click again. Now I am really lost... why would it be doing this? All I did was change a cap, rotor, and coil! __________________ 1972 C10 1972 C20

05-06-2005, 02:38 AM	#4
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	you HAVE to run that ground strap to the wiring harness you will cook the module and every other electronic component in the ignition system in short order if not. someone musta removed at one time or another along the way because they have to be in there __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

05-06-2005, 02:48 PM	#5
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Here is what you are missing: -get at NAPA (called HEI coil ground strap) Attached Images __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer Last edited by jhow66; 05-06-2005 at 02:50 PM.

05-06-2005, 03:05 PM	#6
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	See if this will help: Attached Images __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

05-05-2005, 10:41 PM	#2
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Every HEI that I've ever had did have the secondary ground installed, that clicking could very well be the cap arching but I'm not 100% sure, I've never tried running without that ground.



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