I have a Summit Brand Ignition box that is no longer working and is also no longer available for sale from Summit. I contacted Summit yesterday and since I bought it over 2 years ago they told me they couldn't do anything on a warranty. I understand that. I asked them for help finding someone to repair it or to at least let me know who actually manufacturerd it. They only told me they didn't know but that since it was digital it was probably Mallory. The part number is SUM-850604. It's a CD digital Steet and Strip Boost Timing Master Ignition. here is a link to it, but it shows N/A http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-850604/ Any ideas on where I can get this thing repaired? I am running in bypass mode but would rather get this thing repaired than re-wire etc. I am also not sure what killed it. It was working when I took my car apart. I think it had to do with welding being done on the car while the unit was still attached.
I believe it's a relabeled Mallory 685...a HyFire VI digital CD-type box. If so, here ya go: http://www.malloryperformance.com/TechSupportHome.aspx Mallory is owned by Mr. Gasket, and Prestolite is bundled up in there somewhere, so it's hard to say who's repairing them. The 685 is still a current product so you are probably in luck so far as repair.
I'm not sure how exotic (expensive) the box is, but it seems to me that unless you have a hookup with someone with substantial technical skills, it will probably be less expensive to replace, rather than repair. I know we all hate the idea that it has to be shitcanned when there is probably only one small item dead inside the box, but from an economic point of view, this is likely the correct answer.....
another option is to find someone who knows 'people' who might be able to get the box sent in to Mallory/Mr Gasket to repair. (I've heard a lot of good things about Bubba as well)
Thanks for the replies so far. I also sent Mr. Bubba a PM. I bet they did. For starters the wiring diagram in the instructions was incorrect. I checked it 15 times and finally called summit. The guy knew about and told me to exchange two wires and BLAM fired right up!
Glad shes running !! Thats the problem with some of this catalog stuff , here today gone tomorrow. Let me know if i can help........ Bubba
oh no - that was back in 2008 when I first got it, the instructions were wrong. I talked to summit again today and am going to send it back for some a disount on an MSD box with BTM. It's running with the bypass plug in. If I hook it up to go through the box no spark. Thanks
Welding with electronic ignition parts is never a good thing. Always disconnect the ignition parts when welding on your ride. I learned this the same way you did.
I don't know for sure that's what did it. The box was working when the car was taken apart and all of the wires were completely disconnected and the engine was out. The box was also mounted on a plate with insulated feet. That's why I'd like to find someone to open it up and diagnose/fix it. I'm going to follow Scrubba's lead there and call that guy. Thanks Scrubba. Meanwhile, Summit being as awesome as they are gave me a hell of a deal to make up for the 2 bad units on a replacement MSD BTM box. Yeah, I've got two of them, I was in a bind and ordered a replacement unit for speed when the first one went out on me. The second one lasted over a year or so with no trouble.
OK guys I wanted to jump in because I have the very same unit with less than five hours of drive time on it and it went bad also. I have been building a 57 Chevy and it has been sitting for the most part of the last three years. I took it apart and a small bracket inside came loose and was bouncing around inside and apparently shorted across something. Poor quality control. Was your red LED light on when trying to start it? Mine is off and I thought it used to be on when cranking and when running.
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