Pertronix croak

Anybody every have a Pertronix ignitor fail on an intermittent basis--like mine just dies, it can sit for a couple hours and then runs again for about 5 mins. Not the coil, I've changed it with a good Pertronix coil. Its definitely the ignition.
PLUS, I can't a damm answer from them-can't EVER reach anybody on the phone (leave a msg., will call back-RIGHT) now for 2 days and have sent an email with no response. Their warranty support sucks.
Any other good recommendations for a point eliminator package? (SBC type)
cooger

 

i too had issues with pertronix. pretty similar situation, intermittent failure. could never get a response back from them. i was able to return the kit to the parts store i bought it from and get a new one. same thing happened after about a month. i ended up putting it back to stock because i couldn't get a resolution. now i just rock points and drive.

 

never had problem on mine. i love it, the msd ignition i had, well lets just say that was an interesting drive from Denver to San Diego!

 

Why did you list this thread as technical? ...It's simply a rant that you could have added to one of the other Pertronix threads if you had bothered to do a search.

FYI and no I don't work for them or own stock...I've converted at least 6 of my distributors to Pertronix and they have performed flawlessly for many, many miles and hours. The couple of times I've called them for technical and sales assistance, they have either connected me right in, or they have promptly returned my calls.

I hate wasting my time on threads like this...should have just skipped past it!

 

Fix it for the last time by throwing it in the trash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go back to stock shit

 

Flamethrower I, II, or III, it makes a difference

I had problems if you leave the ignition on with the car not running
II fixed the problem
III is just fancy new dual spark

 

cooger:
1. PM GMC BUBBA, he is the "DIZZY MASTER"
2. Take into consideration the economy, many many companies have had to lay off a lot of good people and quality and customer service will suffer, give them a couple day's email\call again..

LeadSledMerc:
Sorry that you wasted you time on this thread, if it was a waste why did you ever respond?
Be constructive, help a HAMB'er out?

 

Dual point Malory never failed me

 

I know for a fact that if you run a I module you should run a I coil, II module a II coil etc. I've run them for 20,000 miles no problem. The original Chevy HEI had same symptoms of running and dying. I'm running the complete petronix distributor.

 

I have a friend with a early Corvette who had the same problem. I don't think he got that many miles out of it?

 

I have had the pertronixs unit in my car for over ten years with out a problem. Do you still have a diagram from the install, go back and double check everything. Check all your grounds, check the pick-up and make sure it is not loose or wires damaged. There has to be something over looked, is there a way to check it with the multi-meter?

 

Ten years and over 50,000 miles and it's never missed a beat. I've never reset the timing and never had a plug out of the hole. I've converted about 5-6 others for myself and friends since and not one has ever had an issue. When I hear of problems I can't help but think something has not been set up right. Are you sure you followed the installation instructions to the letter?

Frank

 

Just wipe the eye off. Sheesh.

 

I was constructive on 2 points and "helped a HAMB'er out" the best I can tell:
1) People need to learn to do searches and they'll see there's a ton of info already covered without starting a new thread that's mostly just whining.
2) I gave my actual experiences having run several Pertronix units.

So please tell me, tierod, how was that not being constuctive that I had psoted?

...good advise.

...more good advise.

GreenMonster48, Pertronix use a magnetic pick-up, which "eye" do you mean?

 

The black ring that comes with the kit...I called it the 'eye' thinking about the similar kit Mallory sells/used to sell.

Anywho, I had stumbling issues while using the Pertronix (back when they first came out). I wiped the black ring down with a soft cloth and put it back on. Worked fine for many miles.

I find that in both cases, after helping folks out with similar instances that it's the 'eye' or 'ring' coated with an oil film. Usually on cars that have breather fumes etc. running near them over a period of time (especially on small block Fords, maybe coincidence, maybe not).

The original poster's issues sound more like a timing issue, or a heat issue. This was more of a generalized response to people who have had 'issues' with the kit itself. 9 out of 10 times the problem is much simpler than a bad pertronix.

 

I agree exactly.

 

Lose the coil. Mine went bad after 300 miles and from what I have read, it's not uncommon. I tried the Accel super stock coil with 1.2ohm instead of Pertronix coils 1.5. I did call them to find out if the ohm differance would matter and they told me that 1.2 was on the bottom of there scale but it would be fine. It's been in there for 3 years with no probelms

 

Used tons of pertronixs and have fixed even more. Like others above said the most common failure problem is using a incorrect resistance coil.
Especially on the Ignitor . They make a Ignitor, Ignitor II and a Ignitor III.
Low coil resistance causes the current to be higher than they can handle.

 

We've installed tons of them at our shop (vintage British cars) - probably around 50 of 'em & have had only one failure that I can remember . That failure came from the owner leaving the key on for an extended period (got the coil hot as hell too) . We reinstalled a new setup ... good as new for more than 5 years now .
As a couple people have pointed out - the Pertronix units are touchy to the right resistance coil - be sure it's correct .
Even though it means less maintenence jobs (changing points , etc) , we reccomend Pertronix units to our customers for reliability's sake . Keeps the customers happier ...

 

Back when new trucks still came with points. U hall put them in there rental fleet. I have used lots of them from junked u hall trucks and never had one fail. Only god knows how many miles were on them.

Iv been a mechanic for going on 40 years.
Pertronix is by far the only electronic ignition I fully trust. The best part about there stuff is, on the off chance it fails simply pull the points condenser and screw driver out of your glove box and put them in and your back down the road.

 

have over 85,000 miles on the 250 6 cyl...on the third Pertronix....burned two out not knowing that ign switch on engine not running burns out PetronixI.....had a MSD coil on originally and that sucker burned out in about 1 year (15,000 miles)...put an oil filled Delco coil out of the 57 IHC truck in the back yard and it's still running....always said I would put an HEI in if it ever failed again but the darn thing just keeps on keeping on....and it runs SO MUCH BETTER than points for sure !!

 

who would have thought that they made them for international v8s my 67 dump truck has a kit in it and its the best running vehical in the fleat.

 

Triggering my MSD box with one set of points from a dual point Mallory. Works wonderfully.

 

I just installed one in my 50 ford and now pertronix said I have to install a 7ohm-5 watt resistor inline, have to find out where he wants it, the only wire I have to hook up is the wire from the overdrive relay box, have you done one of these before? Mine is a flathead 6 volt with a postive ground, any help would be greatly appreciated, let me know, thanks, Lloyd