Hi guys,
I'm hoping that I may be able to get some help finding a correct part/item number for an updated ESA/Shift Assist module that will work with an electronic ignition upgrade. I have searched all over the net, forums and manufacturer sites/tech support lines but still can't get a definitive answer as to what exact one I need. The engine is a 1992 OMC 4.3L, 2BBL with the Prestolite BID distributor, #IDU-7602. Outdrive is a Cobra. A few weeks back the engine died on the water, will crank but has not started or even tried to turn over since. Verified it has no spark. I have been through the ignition, fuel system, dash electronics, current ESA module, etc. and narrowed it down to the sensor unit in the distributor no longer working. I decided to go with a Pertronix Electronic Ignition upgrade since the original unit appears to be NLA and to hopefully make starting easier as it has been historically difficult to start at times, maybe a little better on fuel consumption as well. I spoke with Pertronix and ordered the Ignitor II model, #92562, along with the Flame Thrower II coil, #45011. I have seen that there is a need to upgrade the ESA module to work with the electronic ignition as well and this was confirmed by Pertronix, but there in lies my issue. There is a CDI unit I find referenced often, but I have not been able to specifically locate as to what part number is needed for the combination I have here. I tried to contact CDI directly yesterday and the woman I spoke with on the tech support line stated I needed to talk to a technician but they were all on other lines and offered to call me back...they then didn't call me back and when I tried again today my number is literally blocked from calling them! The only thing I have been able to find is their ESA model #123-9898P, which states it is for earlier 4.3 models with Prestolite points type distributor and engines with electronic upgrades. But what I don't know is whether or not this would work with the distributor type I have and an electronic upgrade? If so, I have also found a Sierra model that cross references to the same CDI part number, Sierra #18-5890. If this is the right one I plan to use this due to my poor interaction with CDI. And if not, any help locating the part I need would be extremely helpful! Thanks in advance, you seem to have a great source here and I have done a lot of reading already and hopefully can be of some help myself at some point as well!
-John
I'm hoping that I may be able to get some help finding a correct part/item number for an updated ESA/Shift Assist module that will work with an electronic ignition upgrade. I have searched all over the net, forums and manufacturer sites/tech support lines but still can't get a definitive answer as to what exact one I need. The engine is a 1992 OMC 4.3L, 2BBL with the Prestolite BID distributor, #IDU-7602. Outdrive is a Cobra. A few weeks back the engine died on the water, will crank but has not started or even tried to turn over since. Verified it has no spark. I have been through the ignition, fuel system, dash electronics, current ESA module, etc. and narrowed it down to the sensor unit in the distributor no longer working. I decided to go with a Pertronix Electronic Ignition upgrade since the original unit appears to be NLA and to hopefully make starting easier as it has been historically difficult to start at times, maybe a little better on fuel consumption as well. I spoke with Pertronix and ordered the Ignitor II model, #92562, along with the Flame Thrower II coil, #45011. I have seen that there is a need to upgrade the ESA module to work with the electronic ignition as well and this was confirmed by Pertronix, but there in lies my issue. There is a CDI unit I find referenced often, but I have not been able to specifically locate as to what part number is needed for the combination I have here. I tried to contact CDI directly yesterday and the woman I spoke with on the tech support line stated I needed to talk to a technician but they were all on other lines and offered to call me back...they then didn't call me back and when I tried again today my number is literally blocked from calling them! The only thing I have been able to find is their ESA model #123-9898P, which states it is for earlier 4.3 models with Prestolite points type distributor and engines with electronic upgrades. But what I don't know is whether or not this would work with the distributor type I have and an electronic upgrade? If so, I have also found a Sierra model that cross references to the same CDI part number, Sierra #18-5890. If this is the right one I plan to use this due to my poor interaction with CDI. And if not, any help locating the part I need would be extremely helpful! Thanks in advance, you seem to have a great source here and I have done a lot of reading already and hopefully can be of some help myself at some point as well!
-John