Computronix - toast after 6500+\- miles???

[seabeelt]

This is for all the folks that have one. I'm just curious if anyone else has had problems. This is somewhat related to my "Holy s$&t I'm on fire topic, I think.......

To relate to the other topic, I have rebuilt the carbs and re-assembled everything. I have fuel but no spark. To be fair, the black plastic wire loom was melted due to the proximity to the car fire, but the wires are fine, no melted insulation or anything. I have checked continuity of the wires. all good. I even pulled the wire assembly off the car and checked the diode array near the coil pack. All read good. I have 13.4 v from the battery to the unit.

Symptoms - no red light on top of the distributor itself, and of course no spark.

I will give Mark a call later, and by no means is this a bash of any kind on Mark, but I am curious as to the longevity of the unit as I only have about 6500 miles on it. And before anyone asks, yes it's out of the one year warranty period, but I would think it would last longer than 6500 miles and since it's a sealed unit and supposedly inpervious to water and the like. The bottle of water I dumped on the carb to put the fire out should have had zero effect on the unit. My thought is that since the car started running on two cylinders prior to the smoke coming from under the hood if this might have been a contributing factor??... Just trying to sort it out in my mind.

I'm going to really hate having to pull the intake manifold off again to get this puppy out if there is no in place fix.

An FYI, I guess, I went to the Computronix website ((Mark is listed there as the exclusive dealer for fiat - I like a smart businessman ) to see I I could reach another dealer related to troubleshooting since the ford unit has the same base model number and not have to wait for the time difference between east and west coast for Mark to open. (Not that he wouldn't have to refer me to them anyway). I called three other " Dealers" . One guy has only installed one on a buddy's boat, no cars, but no issues. The other guy wondered how I got his number as he had never heard of them (he's a speed shop) and the other number was no longer in service?.... Hmmmmmmmm.

[So Cal Mark]

I left you a voice mail today. I'll be in the shop Sat morning if you're available. The trigger unit can withstand temperatures of about 350F but if the harness melted it may have shorted the electronics.

[seabeelt]

I'll give you a call around 9:00 your time
Thanks much

[seabeelt]

Sent the distributor off to Mark last week. Thanks Mark. Hoping this is something simple - fingers crossed.

[So Cal Mark]

Computronix is going to replace your unit. They are making a batch with new, upgraded circuit boards to resist higher heat. They should be ready next week and I'll get yours sent

[seabeelt]

Thanks, Do they have the one that fits in the cam box as a swap? Would like to not have to pull the intake manifold again if at all possible.

Many thanks

[seabeelt]

Double posting here re Computonix fail. - Not my topic, but since I think I started this whole thing with the Computronix, I thought I should post my response here as well.

My Heartfelt Thanks to mark for sorting this out at no cost to me

Well I have to agree with Pete (RRoller) Mine failed earlier in the summer.. Mark went out of his way to take my phone call on a weekend and was able to get me a replacement even though mine was out of warranty at no cost. It did take some time for the re-design and testing of the higher heat components, but worth the wait.. In the mean time I reinstalled my standard points ignition and drove the car. You cant beat the service by our trusted venders. Period.

Two side notes.

First, I work as do most folks in a field where customer service/responsiveness counts, and there is always a customer that wants the unreasonable or impossible. We all do our best to manage expectations and communicate options. Since I was past the warranty period, I had no expectations that anything would actually happen, but thought what the heck, ask and see what Mark can do. Cant hurt to ask - right. Mark was most courteous and sympathetic and said he would see what he could do. Cant ask for better. So as you can imagine, I am thrilled to be receiving ( have already received it) a new improved unit and did I mention at no cost

Second, I think for most (not all) of us, this is a hobby (loosely termed) and the car is not a daily driver. Parts are available in plenty, but more often than not involve a wait for shipping at a minimum. If the cars were not of a vintage, you could run down to any ole auto parts supplier and get what you need unless it was a dealer specific item. You can still get most parts at Autozone, Advanced Auto, O"Reilly's and the like if you are willing to wait a little longer and pay a premium for shipping and get an aftermarket part and so forth (Guess where most of them get their Fiat parts???) None of them that I know of, and I haven't researched this, offer anything much in the way of aftermarket performance parts for our cars. So we are pretty darned lucky to have the folks that supply/support what we need.

Thanks Mark, For the GREAT Customer Service

[klweimer]

seabeelt,
Did your replacement go in the block or the cam box? I saw earlier in the thread you had asked Mark about that, but didn't see an answer here. I agree the cam box position is better.
Kirk

[So Cal Mark]

the trigger unit mounts in the block, and that is a superior location compared to the cam box

[klweimer]

Hi Mark,
Just curious, why do you think the block location is better?
FWIW - I've had my Computronix unit for a couple of years and love it. It makes re-timing the distributor after removal a piece of cake.
Kirk

[So Cal Mark]

the block location is away from the exhaust heat and places the trigger unit much closer to the crankshaft. With your engine running, watch the deflection in the timing belt. That deflection allows for variations in timing and the exhaust cam is farthest away from the crank. Using the aux shaft to drive the trigger unit allows for much more accurate timing

[klweimer]

Makes sense to me. Thanks Mark!

[seabeelt]

Thought I would HAPPILY close the loop on this thread. First a VERY BIG THANK YOU to Mark for getting me a replacement unit. Second, the new unit is MUCH improved. No more having to remove the dual IDF manifold to install because of height. The new unit is shorter and slips right in. WELL DONE MARK!!!! Well worth the wait and did I mention GREAT Customer Service!!!!!