prestolite module failures
 

i have two identical motors, with prestolite electronic distributors. each engine is on a separate battery with it's own individual switch. i keep melting the module on one motor. it gets hot and starts to melt the epoxy on the underside. they are both wired the same with 12 volts to the + side from the switch. i never switch batteries while running. the only thing i can think of is the tach wire is corroding somewhere and pulling too much current through the module. any other suggestions on what to look for? thanks.

xeagle

I may be talking about a different thing. Are you refering to the ecm that is attached to the distributors on a ford. It requires you pull the dist and the special tool to unscrew it.

My wifes lincoln melted one the other day. The only thing I came across is the special grease has to be spread evenly on the back to help with cooling. I think there was a large lawsuit in california and many had to be replaced by ford.

I think it is a poor design and a cheap part.


I have been told the grease is critical for cooling.

Let me know what you find out.

the module i'm referring to looks horseshoe shaped, with a black and a purple wire that go to the coil. prestolites have the weights and springs underneath it for mechanical advance unlike the thunderbolts. the dielectric grease is to prevent corrosion between the module and the distributor that sometimes occurs.

:confused: no electrical experts? any guesses?

If the component is screwed down to a large metal surface and requires it to be cooled go to Radio Shack and get some Heat Sink Compound. This is what causes a good thermal transfer. Very common in transitor circuits.
Tim T.