electronic iginition woes

[Rob Hibbard]

I recently tried the new hot spark electronic ignition module--what a mistake. I've learned to install points and condenser but thought for the money....well I was wrong! After buying a new module, new coil and ballast resistor, I still burned up the module within a month. The company then tells me that my alternator is putting out too much voltage for their system. That would have been nice to know BEFORE buying the system. So in other words, I would have to practically redo my entire electrical system in order to use their module. Money down the drain! For all I've spent I could have bought 10 sets of points and condenser. Anyone else have this experience?

[Multi69s]

I haven't had quite the experience that you had, but I have gone back to points and condenser. I jumped on that bandwagon a few years ago, but have gone back old school. The problem with the electronic module is that if it fails you are stranded. I have had points close up (can be readjusted), and condensers fail, both more then once. However, I have always been able to limp my way home or to a parts store (sometimes very slow). Also, points and condensers "usually" give some type of warning, before they fail. So for me this newer technology does not yet have the needed reliability.

As far as your case, I think they were giving you a load of crap. No two cars will have the same charging voltage, so unless you were putting out 18V or something, that brand is crap. You should list the brand, so others can stay away. That is the only real power we have against bad parts, getting the word out.
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[Rob Hibbard]

Thanks for sharing with me. The brand is Hot Spark, that advertises right here on the Samba. That's the reason I gave them a shot is because they advertised on this site. So be warned my friends! Stay with the old school.

[bnam]

[allenw]

Keep a spare condenser and points in the glove box, they will always get you back home

[andk5591]

[Glenn]

[wcfvw69]

I've run nothing but Bosch points and condensers for 30+ years of VW ownership. I've never had either fail or give me issues. In the last 5 years, I've bought many spare NOS Bosch points and condensers made in the 70's. I've also run used Bosch German made condensers for thousands and thousands of miles w/out issue.

I'd love to install an electronic module IF I knew it was bullet proof. However, I know too many people that had (pick the brand) a module fail.

Part of the charm for me and these VW's is fine tuning the dwell and setting the points while adding a small dab of points grease on the cam.
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[boom10ful]

I had 3 different electronic points distributors fail after a couple of weeks. I just went back to points and couldn't be happier.

[ashman40]

[Rob Hibbard]

Wow, just let me start by saying thanks for all your replies. It's cool to have this site to share and learn from others experiences. I'll try to give you guys the full story.

First off, my alternator is putting out 14 V, too high for the hot spark module, according to the tech support guy. I get that. However, I had had previous experience with this company, having bought not one, but two modules for my '62 Bug with a generator. Both failed within a month of installation. So when I decided to try again, I told the tech this story and asked specifically what I could do to avoid these problems with my '72 with an alternator. I bought a new coil and ballast resister from them and was told that should take care of the problem. Nothing was mentioned about too high an output from the alternator by the tech or from what I saw on the website. So now I'm out $150 to the company and they could care less. That's why I decided to share this thread and see if others have had the same problem. For all the money I've spent I could have bought umpteen points and condenser sets.

Thanks again for all your replies and for a forum of people to talk to!

[sjbartnik]

14V is not too high for any component made for a 12v auto electrical system. System voltage when the alternator is working will be anywhere from 13.8-14.2v so if the electronic device cannot handle 14v, then it is defective or unsuitable for automotive use.

Now if your voltage regulator is dying and occasionally allowing spikes well over 14v, then that's a problem.
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[beetlenut]

It seems it really doesn't matter how much your generator, alternator, or voltage regulator is putting out except as measured at the connections to the module and what it expects/accepts. If the module is seeing spikes or dips above/below the threshold voltages it functions at, then it's going to fail. I'm surprised the techs didn't offer some type of filter to put inline with the module wiring to prevent those types of conditions!
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[Rob Hibbard]

The new coil and ballast resister were suppose to solve that problem--the module wires went through the resistor before going to the module. Obviously that didn't work!

[ROCKOROD71]

I recently had a starting issue like Ashman described (running points here) but it only happened when it was wet outside. I fought it for a while and did all kinds of troubleshooting. My uncle the mechanic said, without hearing anything but "wet" "Change your spark plug wires." I thought it might be the crappy autozone coil I had so swapped it out. Well, the ONLY connection I never checked removed was the wire going from the coil to the distributor. And guess what, it was FUBAR. I suspect that hanging upside down lets moisture just hang out at that end, slowly corroding it. When it was wet you lose voltage, especially while the starter is cranking. I was getting spark out of the coil but it was too weak to fire the cylinders. I took the wire out and the distributor end was perfect so I cleaned up the corroded end best I could with a wire brush and swapped the orientation of the wire so the perfect side was attached to the coil and away I go. New wires are on my shopping list. Here's the collection of rust-mud and corrosion I found in the coil:

For what its worth I ran a Compufire in my Bug for around 15 years with no issues. I only switched to points cuz my shiny new Mexi-Bosch distributor came with them. Have had no troubles with the points but I keep my old distributor with the Compufire module in it in the trunk just in case. It was still working when I pulled it (dizzy was physically worn).
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1977 WESTY "KrustyKamper" 2L FI

[ashman40]

[Rob Hibbard]

Boy AshMan--I have no idea how to answer your question as I'm not well versed in the electrical side of things. All I know is I have their brand new coil and a ballast resister plus the module. Bottom line is I'm back with points and condenser and will stay there!