DeTomaso Mailing List: October 99, Message #159

You problems could very well be the ignition module.  It is easy enough and
low cost to change.  If you have changed things around, make sure you have
the correct coil for an electronic ignition on a Ford.  Some other or
universal coils have too low of resistance and will cause premature failure
of the box.  I have one on a daily driver for 5 years now I took out of the
junk yard and it works fine.  I also still use the balast resistor wire.

Dave "Like electronics but it can be a pain" D

At 11:21 PM 10/4/99 -0400, you wrote:
>Another Ignition problem;
>
>Three days to go before the Indycar Rally, things are starting to fall into
>place.....................I'm on my way to a suspension specialist to have
>adjustable coilovers fitted, the engine STOPS!!! We pull into a driveway,
>there is a strong petrol smell,, so we suspect the fuel pressure regulator
>which has been making strange noises. The engine starts again after a while,
>and we get away.
>A few days later I pick the car up having had the beautiful new suspension
>and a new ($72) fuel regulator fitted. I'm driving home, temperature is
>fairly high but the car is going extremely well, problem solved ???
>1 Km from home the car stops again, runs again after a few minutes. I get to
>my workshop and let the car sit there idling, suddenly it stops dead again
>and refuses to start for about 10 minutes, this leads me to suspect the
>electrics rather than fuel, I'm assuming that the petrol smell is from
>unburnt fuel after the plugs stopped firing.
>
>I suspect the problem is either the coil or distributor ignitor unit (FORD
>contactless standard fitting), the coil was replaced 1 Year ago, I have a
>brand new Accel coil fitted waiting to be wired in.
>
>Any Ideas ????
>
>Lars
>
>
>
>
>