RE:Distributor pickups dying in '75 Hornet

["Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A: Poor charging systems can cause things to burn out too. Most electronics 
don't like lower voltage than they are spec'd for. I get people who burn out 
their alternator one week (and often burn out the battery by running it flat 
several times or replace the battery when the charging system is the 
trouble. Even worse when they replace the $tarter fir$t and there is nothing 
wrong with it!) and then the next week they are replacing the computer (in 
fuel injected models) because it starts acting up or dies completely.
   But as for the Prestolite system, Chrysler doesn't use the same setup in 
any cars I have looked at. (although many of the '70's rigs have "gremlins" 
that cause them to suddenly shut off too) I saw a '72ish Caddy with the same 
Prestolite dist internals.


From: Guynn <amx69@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: rogblake@xxxxxxxxx, mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE:Distributor pickups dying in '75 Hornet

In most cases in auto electrical parts that burn out quickly, it is a
faulty ground. The faulty ground leads to excessive voltage spikes. The
ground does not need to be directly associated with the component burned
out. In some3 casses it is the cause, but not in every case. The bad
ground could have also been the reason the first part failed. Install
the new part and in many cases it also burns out quickly.

Electrical grounds go bad over time. Corrosion is the culpret. Many
times the corrosion is in an area of the wireing that cannot be seen
because it is covered by insulation. A volt.ohm meter is needed to check
the continuity of the wire, along with checking the resistance. Too high
resistance, bad ground. The ground could be at the attaching point, at
the fitting crimp point, or anywhere at all along the wire.

Wet climate?? Even worse on corrosion, and this will lead to more faulty
grounds.

The prestolite system has its detractors just as much as any other
ignition system. Mopar has used it on millions of cars since the 70s, so
I think it is just as good as any other electronic. If it was nothing
but a crappy system, Mopar could not have afforded it for over 30 years.
I sure don't see everyone in Moparland chunking their Mopar electronic
ignitions. If they were nothing but junk, you certainly would see that.

Electrical ''gremlins'' cause all sorts of AMC related problems. Any
electrician that is worth his salt will tell you faulty grounds are the
cause of most every electrical problem that comes up. Faulty grounds
also cause more fires in both D.C. and A.C. circuits than all other
reasons combined. Go speak with a veteran Arson investigator if you
don't believe me.

Regards,


Randy Guynn