VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

[akomar1]

Hi,
I have 2000 4.3L Volvo Penta PEFS Engine S# 4012035077. Delco ignition.
Problems started couple of years ago, engine went bad and mechanics replaced all the ignition components ( pickup coil, ignition coil, ignition module, distributor and cap). After 6 months, ignition module burned out and I have replaced it. It was good for about 6 months. Same problem, ignition module out. I put new module in, took the boat to the shop, they checked the engine and told me there is nothing wrong with the ignition. Two weeks later the module is burned again. I went so far through 4 or 5 ignition modules (# 3854003) however nobody can tell me why the engie is burnig them like gas. Temperature of the engine seems fine. Please, advice.

 

[JustJason]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

Are you scraping all the old heat transfer grease off of the distributor and re-greasing the new modules?

 

[akomar1]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

Always. By now I can change ignition module with my eyes closed.

 

[JustJason]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

i'm sure you can by now.
How does the wiring look? are the pigtails corroded?
The module is the trigger for the coil. How does the coil look? Wiring good? Any corrosion at all?
How old are the spark plug wires?
Plug wires that are bad means the coil has to work extra hard to get the spark plug to fire off. If the coil is working harder then the trigger controlling it is working harder as well.

 

[akomar1]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

WIres look godd, however they are 10 years old. No corrosion on the connectors. Coil is couple of years old with minimal corrosion on it. Question ; I have to leave the boat in the marina and cannot find new module locally. Can I use automotive module to bring the boat back?

 

[JustJason]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

plug wires that are 10 years old are 90% chance goners. Recommended interval on those is 3 to 5 years.
You need the module specific to that engine (IE the Volvo module). Automotive modules may fit and the engine will probably run but the timing advance curves are completely different and the engine won't make the power it's supposed to.

 

[JustJason]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

1 more thing, since you keep burning modules, everything in your ignition system is at this point suspect. You have to ohm out the wires (or just replace them at this point, 10 years old is a long time) Spark plugs, cap, rotor, coil, wiring all need a good looking at and/or replacing or else you keep on burning out modules.

 

[akomar1]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

Everytinh was replaced except wires. I will do that. Thanks.

 

[akomar1]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

Changed ignition wires, put in new ignition coil. Turned the engine on and ... burned yet another ignition module after 3 minutes of running the engine on idle. Any ideas?

 

[muc]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

The primary circuit pink wire, between the ignition coil and distributor
2-way terminal, contains an inductor to protect against RFI interference.
If the inductor fails, disconnect and replace the 2-lead primary
circuit wire harness.

3854034 Cable $42.12

Also might want to check the routing of the wire from distributor to ECM ---- keep them away from the plug wires.

 

[Don S]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

Problems started couple of years ago, engine went bad .

Could you explain what you mean by "Went Bad" May help in tracking down the problem.

 

[2001 Stingray]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

plug wires that are 10 years old are 90% chance goners. Recommended interval on those is 3 to 5 years.
You need the module specific to that engine (IE the Volvo module). Automotive modules may fit and the engine will probably run but the timing advance curves are completely different and the engine won't make the power it's supposed to.

Not true, I when I pulled the module from my 5.0Gi PEFS, the module was a run of the mill GM399, same one that went on all GMs for 15 years.
The timing curve is set by the ECM.

 

[Don S]

Re: VP 4.3 Gi PEFS burning ignition modules

You are replying to an old thread from over a year ago.

From the announcement at the top of the page.

Please DO NOT reply to old threads or hijack existing threads. Old threads of a technical nature are like a library book, Do Not write in them.
1. Old threads should be considered archives and used for reference only. Do not reply to them.

2. Do not take over someone else?s thread (aka hijack) with your own question, even if it is similar. If you have a question that has not been covered to your satisfaction in the archives, it is always best to start a new thread of your own.

3. If you have a question for the original poster (OP) and the thread is over 30 days old, send the OP a PM, he may not even visit the forums any longer, or may not notice your question in the old thread.

4. By starting your own thread, you will receive the maximum number of views by forum helpers that may not even notice your question when it?s posted at the end of someone else?s thread. And those answers will be specific to your particular issue.