Ignition coil arcing

[HolyDiver]

Hey all, im currently new to this forum/group. Im hoping i can get some real help from somebody.

I have an 83 k10 305, and about a year and a half ago my truck started acting up, misfireing, chugging. All the symptoms of a failing ignition coil. Sure enough it was frying the protective covering to the positive cable coming from the coil itself. Replaced it and it ran like new. About 6 months ago it started acting the same way. Fried another coil. Now the truck wont start with a new coil installed. Im wondering if i may have fried something with the coil arcing? It cranks but doesnt sound like it wants to fire up. I know its getting fuel to the engine but after the coil issue im assuming its now become a spark issue?

 

[HolyDiver]

Heres a picture of what it keeps doing. You can see where its arcing.
Oh and the coil does have the grounding strap installed on it as well.

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[Craig 85]

I'm not seeing this ground wire in your picture. It sits under the coil frame work and should run in between the two wires you pictured. See second photo.

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[Honky Kong jr]

Ground is needed but so is good insulation. I'd replace that puppy for sure.

 

[HolyDiver]

Yes, i recently installed this but im still having problems getting it to start. It cranks but wont turn over

 

[theBIGnaud]

Crank but won't fire?

 

[HolyDiver]

Yes, ever since the coil failed and i replaced it with the grounding strap the truck will crank but it wont fire. It was running perfect before this coil started acting up. Now it wont even fire.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

What brand of coil did you get? I'd steer clear of MasterPro and Duralast for sure. They're all made overseas, even AC Delco, but the BWD brand coil from Advance/O'Reilly works well. If you're not getting spark after replacing the coil, I'd take the ignition control module out and have it tested at the parts store.

 

[HolyDiver]

It is an ac delco coil. Ill work with it for right now. But ill have to check out the ICM. Havent thought about doing that yet. Can a faulty ICM continue to cause arcing on the coil?

 

[Craig 85]

Are you getting spark at the plug? Maybe the ignition module is bad?

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[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I'm not sure to tell you the truth. The typical symptoms for an ICM are a complete no start condition or a no start condition when it gets hot, and it'll start whenever it cools off. I would blame the arcing on an insulation failure, as mentioned above. If you can exchange the coil under warranty and proceed from there, I would. I'd also check for spark at the plugs before proceeding much further like Craig said.

 

[chengny]

WHY COILS FAIL:

Because worn spark plugs and open-circuit spark plug wires force ignition coils to operate at maximum output, neglected ignition system maintenance is the most common cause of modern ignition coil failure.

As the spark plug air gap widens due to normal erosion, increased voltage is required to create a spark in the combustion chamber. This increased voltage, in turn, demands more current flow through the coil’s primary circuit.

Also, this increased primary current flow can overload the ICM’s primary transistor. The increased secondary current created by the ignition coil also can increase to the point that it perforates the secondary circuit in the coil itself

 

[HolyDiver]

If i could get a picture of it right now i would. I replaced the cap along with the coil. Installed the grounding strap. Ill have to check out the icm when the rain stops here(no garage). Ill check tomorrow for spark at the plug. Say im not getting spark at the plug, what would be my next move? The ICM?

 

[gpmorgan]

If i could get a picture of it right now i would. I replaced the cap along with the coil. Installed the grounding strap. Ill have to check out the icm when the rain stops here(no garage). Ill check tomorrow for spark at the plug. Say im not getting spark at the plug, what would be my next move? The ICM?

Yes, if no spare I would replace the control module.