Engine died when driving and won't start - Coil melted

[GXPWeasel]

I'd bet it's the Ignition Control Module. Same thing you described happened to me. Now I carry a spare AC Delco one in my toolbox on the truck, with the screwdriver and heat sink grease to replace it on the side of the road if need be.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Since you'll have the cap off, bend the tab up a little bit on the rotor. I have had one lose contact with the center button before. That caused a no spark issue on mine. I could not figure out why it stopped running. Popped the cap off, and saw the tab on the rotor sat a little low. Bent it up, reinstalled the cap, vrooom

 

[mibars]

Yup. Ignition module, that was it. Purrs like a sewing machine.
Whatever died first & fried the other, a coil or a module will remain a mystery. But I suspect a no-name module as a source of that drama. A part number G462 suggests that's a MasterPro brand.

Also had a reading on a GMT400 forum about modules, they all should possibly work, but would differ in timing, when and how much they advance spark. If my understanding is correct even a module suited for a V6 or a 4 cylinder should work, but would yield some odd timing thinking engine spins 50% or 100% faster.

I'll try to get a better quality coil and a 2nd module as a spare to carry.
What else is worth carrying in a parts box?

 

[DoubleDingo]

Glad you got it fixed and reported back. A spare module, and belts. If it's a trip out of town, or a long trip like 4,000 miles, I'll also carry a spare cap, coil, rotor, water pump, fuel pump, plug wires (old ones from tune-up).

 

[gmbellew]

spare parts I carry- bulbs, radiator hoses, ICM, external coil, couple old plug wires swapped every 30k miles, timing light, cap/rotor from previous maintenance change swapped every 30k miles, swapped every 30k miles, small air compressor, tire plugs, basic tools, zip ties, electrical tape, fuses, volt meter, and fluids. oh - and the .pdf of the service manuals on my phone for easy access.

I am not dropping my fuel tank on the side of the road, and most of the TBI sensor failures won't keep you from getting home. so I feel pretty confident I have most roadside scenarios covered.