Ac Delco ignition module not compatable wIth duralast distributor?

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Hugomartin

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Just put in a new ac delco ignition module I know that my distributor is a duralast . I can’t get the engine to start . Cranks but no start..... I decided to buy the acdelco ignition module because I recently put in a new duralast ignition module but was still having the occasional stall at a stop light . Any ideas?
 

squaredeal91

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Distributor brand should not matter. Maybe pickup coil in distributor?. It is an Often overlooked part that fails giving those symptoms like icm
 

Hugomartin

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Distributor brand should not matter. Maybe pickup coil in distributor?. It is an Often overlooked part that fails giving those symptoms like icm
If i put my duralast ignition module back on I know it will start but it will stall out on me 1 out of 20 stop lights

But to your question can I replace the “pick up coil in the distributor ?

Thank you sir
 

Hugomartin

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My duralast distributor is only a year old withe ignition module included when I got help putting that in it would stall out seldomly. Fast forward 10 months it was stalling out going down hill and at stop lights and slow speeds very often So I got a new replacement duralast ignition module. Been driving it a few weeks and only seldomly stalls out so that’s a good improvement. But the ac delco im seems incompatible
 

Hugomartin

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Distributor brand should not matter. Maybe pickup coil in distributor?. It is an Often overlooked part that fails giving those symptoms like icm
Are you saying buy another distributor or is this a serviceable part?
 

squaredeal91

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Pickup coil is serviceable but requires the distributor to be removed. I'm not saying this is the problem but it's a possibility, there are ways of testing. And did you clean and use anything under the icm? Like a heat sink grease paste dielectric grease?
 

Hugomartin

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Pickup coil is serviceable but requires the distributor to be removed. I'm not saying this is the problem but it's a possibility, there are ways of testing. And did you clean and use anything under the icm? Like a heat sink grease paste dielectric grease?
yes i used the white grease it came with
 

Hugomartin

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Should i buy an ac delco distributor? Would i need to go through adjusting the timing or can i just drop the new diz in as long as the rotor is clocked exactly the same?
 

squaredeal91

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I don't want you to waste money. I don't know how to find it but there is a tec book on here somewhere. Should have trouble shooting guide.
 

squaredeal91

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And I'm sorry for assuming this, but are you tbi?
 

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I'd be looking over the connectors and wires from the ICM down to the main harness really well before I bought a new distributor. any ICM that is correct for your make/model/year/engine should work
 

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This happened to me with a standard HEI and i had accidently put the plug wires on 1 terminal over all through the firing order. You would think it would pop, backfire, or something but nope, just spun over. Something to check.
 

gmbellew

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This happened to me with a standard HEI and i had accidently put the plug wires on 1 terminal over all through the firing order. You would think it would pop, backfire, or something but nope, just spun over. Something to check.
I've done that before also!
 

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I've never run into a scenario like what you are describing, but I really can't see how it would be possible for an AC delco module not to work on a duralast distributor. Think about it. The pick up coil reads the reluctor wheel which sends a signal to the module. The module then fires the coil. That's a little over simplified, but I'd be looking for a problem with one of the connection to the module. Is there any chance one of the terminal slipped past the connector, or maybe the connector isn't holding tight on the terminal. Maybe you just got a new defect module.

Think of it from a manufacturing stand point. ALL the aftermarket modules, Standard, MSD, Accel, ect. All work with the original AC Delco / Delco Remy Distributors, if Duralast built a distributor that only a duralast module worked on there would be a lot of upset customers when they replaced there modules.

My vote it is not a compatibility issues and there is another problem. If you end up replacing the entire distributor an AC Delco would be great of course but they can be hard if not impossible to get. We have had good luck with Spectra distributors at the shop, they are manufactured by WIA. The only issue we have had is the suppressor isn't the best so we usually swap over the original unit.
 

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