Ignition module may be bad no power

Hi this is rayban1 and I'm a newbie. Just bought a 95 aurora at the auction and when I went out to check it I discovered it had no power but ran smooth enough. Come to find out it was running only on 4 cylinders and my mechanic said the ignition module was bad. It's Sat now and will try to locate a used ignition module at a salvage site. Even thought the check engine light was on the scanner showed it was OK to drive and did not give any code that indicated the ignition module was bad. This was quite shocking to me because it starts quickly and runs smooth enoug........just not much power.

I drove the car home from the auction, about 60 miles and luckily the road was fairly flat because going up any grade the speed fell off quickly.

It also seemed to use up about a quart of coolant. The car is showing 160 k miles.

Any comments anyone.

You might want to look into getting a tune up (esp. new plugs and wires - AC Delco only). I seem to doube that the ignition module is dead. I have not heard of one gaoin out on this car, but someone here might be able to prove me wrong.

How do you like the car? I bet you will fall in love all over again once you change the plugs and wires and get it running on 8 cylinders again.

Treeboy38
Thanks for your comments but I think it needs more than a tune-up. I watched my mechanic touch four coil posts with his bare fingers where there was only a tiny spark. The other four had inch long sparks.

What surprised me was the lack of a code that indicated the ignition module had failed. Also the onboard computer said all monitored systems were ok.

This engine is a small version of the Northstar engine and when the ignition module fails, the book says you can limp home with a fixed 10degree spark advance. It makes no mention of 4 cylinders being cut out.

I wish I had a shop manual but as we speak I am bidding on one at ebay. It's already up to $90.00 and I will go a little higher.

okay im drunk, but real quick...the 95s did not not have the capability to detect misfire.

okay im drunk, but real quick...the 95s did not not have the capability to detect misfire.

Thanks for the comment.......how do you know this? Do you possess a shop manual?

Thanks rayban1

Another comment on this car. I was very worried about a leaking head gasket but just this morning after overnight wait on dry concret, I detected coolant leak. I have not located the exact source of the leak but should be able to after putting it up on ramps tomorrow.

Thanks for the comment.......how do you know this? Do you possess a shop manual?

Thanks rayban1


The 95 uses a OBD I system that if I remember correctly can't detect a misfire. 1996 and newer use the OBD II system that can detect misfires. When the OBD II system detects a misfire the SES light will flash to let you know that it has detected it in your ignition system.


BKVic

This is a follow up for everyone's info.........I replaced the ignition module with a used one which also came with all four coils. My cost $75.00. It's amazing what the car will do with all 8 firing. Just one more little problem as I was test driving it and to fill it up with high test gas, the radiator finished blowing..........coolant had been leaking but I didn't know where.f
When it finished blowing it was obvious. I removed the cover over the top of the radiator and one of the plastic ends had split. I purchased a new radiator for $ 185.00 and got about 3/4 finished with job before the cold weather and snow hit. I don't have a shop so had to quit. I will report later.
rayban1

PS: I have purchased a set of shop manuals on ebay but have not yet received them. Cost $97.29 including postage and insurance.

PPS: The module is the same for Auroras up thru 1999, and several models of Caddy also fit.........these all have the 4.6 engine which really surprised me.