Well, here's the scenario: Car recently died on me, would start up, but the idle would get so low that it would die shortly after running. Automatically I thought it was the opti. Got new opti from dealer installed it, and car was up and running again. Ran pretty good for a few days, but then the performance started to lag again. About a week later after opti install, the car died again. Found out that my problem was the ignition coil all along.
Replaced coil with another MSD Blaster coil, and it started to do the same thing about 2-3 weeks later. Replaced MSD coil with AC Delco coil, and car ran good for a few days. I noticed that there was arching at the coil and the boot that goes on the spark plug. Replace mallory wires with AC Delco wires, and now I have fireworks under my hood. Also, when replacing second coil, the braided ground wire running from coil bracket to chassis broke at the connector, so i fixed it with a regular connector. I'm wondering if this might be the culprit of all my problems. If anybody wishes to chime in, I would very much appreciate any help. BTW: the car is a 94 Trans Am

 

This will prolly sound weird, but if you have a cat on your car have you checked it? I had the same problem for a long time, car would idle but if you put load on it or let it set the cat would get hot and clog up......killed the car, made arching on the ignition coil, along with a few other things.

 

Never thought of checking the catalytic converter, but how would the cat cause arching on the coil and plug wires?

 

I would also say check the cat. You may have two different problems that you weren't aware of. The arcing on the wires/coil may have been happening before but you never knew because you never had to look close enough before to see it.

Aaron

 

Very well could be.....a bad ground there will give you one heck of a firework show. Clean up all the connections and ground points and Ill bet your problem will be solved.

 

How do I check the cat?

 

A clogged cat can kill performance, kind of like sticking a potatoe in your exhaust pipe. Just drop the pipe and look through the cat to see if it is clear. It wouldn't cause arcing but it could contribute to a rich condition and poor performance. A car that is running extremely rich often will not idle well.

 

if you dont wont to drop the pipe to check the cat simply go to a muffler shop. they should have the capacity to do a pressure check on the cat to see if its clogged up. it doesnt take long and can be done on the car. Trey

 

Thanx for all the suggestions. I'm gonna drop the exhaust tomorrow to check the cat.

 

I guess I also need to get a new coil ground wire. Anybody know where I can find one?

 

Well I hooked the MSD 6A up again yesterday morning, and last night I noticed there was no more arching on the plug wires, but still noticed slight arching on the coil. I'm guessing the coil ground wire might be bad since it broke and I repaired it with a different connector than stock. Does anybody know where I can geta braided copper coil ground wire that runs from the coil bracket to the chassis from? Also my rear end is making a loud howling noise from excessive gear lash. I had it jacked up the other day to change the rear diff fluid, and there wasn't much in there at all. I tried spinning the back wheels, and noticed there is a lot of play in the rearend. I know the fluid is leaking out from where the driveshaft connects to the rear. The gears looked fine when I had the rear open. Is there a way I can tighten up the clearances in the rear without having to do a new gear install? Any suggestions I would very much appreciate.