HELP!! with ignition

[byrd]

HI,
I have sbc 350 with hei ignition and keep burning up the hei module, like three in the past 5 months. Two were aftermarket and the third was a GM one and now I'm having trouble with it too!!
I checked everything that I know how to check and nothing. I know someone on here has had this problem before ,so please whoever you are please help me out on this. Thank you in advance, Randy

[Yukon Jack]

How many volts are you getting to the HEI?

[byrd]

12.4 or 12.7 can't remember. Randy

[jhow66]

How does it act when it goes out? Just quits running-will not start-sit awhile and then will restart?

[byrd]

Originally Posted by jhow66

How does it act when it goes out? Just quits running-will not start-sit awhile and then will restart?

No just act like you turning off the key and backfires, till I get tired of it and replace the module, sometimes it does this for 15 or 20 minutes then acts right I'm stumped Randy

[71swb4x4]

I had a similar problem once. The wire to the starter had come off, and when it would swing just right it would ground out and the truck would die for a second, when it ungrounded itself it would run just fine.
I would recommend checking all of the gounds. make sure the engine has a good ground to the frame too.

[jhow66]

Originally Posted by byrd

No just act like you turning off the key and backfires, till I get tired of it and replace the module, sometimes it does this for 15 or 20 minutes then acts right I'm stumped Randy

Have you checked the coil button in top of cap? My truck was doing me the same way (no backfire)-just quit like you turned the switch off. 1st time changed the module on the Interstate-started. 2nd time had it towed home and checked everything--found nothing and it started. 3th time had it towed and and pulled dist. and changed the pic-up-it started and no more problems since. (the pick-up moves with the vac. advance which was causing a internal short in the pick-up)

[byrd]

Originally Posted by jhow66

Have you checked the coil button in top of cap? My truck was doing me the same way (no backfire)-just quit like you turned the switch off. 1st time changed the module on the Interstate-started. 2nd time had it towed home and checked everything--found nothing and it started. 3th time had it towed and and pulled dist. and changed the pic-up-it started and no more problems since. (the pick-up moves with the vac. advance which was causing a internal short in the pick-up)

what is the pick up exactly and is it under the dizzy? I like the way you think. I've talked to severals friends and a retired mech friend of mine and no one has mentioned that I will really look into this. How do you tell if this is happening, and wht needs to be done to fix it? I would assume local parts house for pick up? thanks in advanced Randy

[jhow66]

Originally Posted by byrd

what is the pick up exactly and is it under the dizzy? I like the way you think. I've talked to severals friends and a retired mech friend of mine and no one has mentioned that I will really look into this. How do you tell if this is happening, and wht needs to be done to fix it? I would assume local parts house for pick up? thanks in advanced Randy

The pick-up is a electro-magnet that triggers the spark for the plugs. If you remove the rotor button you can see it. To replace it the dist. has to be removed and taken apart. Most of the time it is a problem that happens on and off as the tiny wires in the winding move .I will look as see if I can find you a photo of it.

[jhow66]

Here's what it looks like:

[byrd]

Thanks a bunch I'll look into this tomorrow. Randy