91 PA coil burn out problem

[novice11]

Have 1991 Buick PA and had problems a week ago with severe miss., also a rank smell from exhaust. Figued cat was plugged up but before I tore into cat converter. I found no fire was geting to 1 and 4 cyl. Has a module coil and the coil to 1 and 4 was dead. Put a new coil on and it ran like a top for a week. Bang, same missing, coil to 1 and 4 bad again!!!!! What could cause the coil to go bad like that??? I have to find the cause before putting another 100 bucks in a coil. I sure I need a cat change but could that cause the coil just to 1 and 4 go out twice in a week? Need advice bad.

[novice11]

No one is giving any ideas, but read all the forums posts concerning simular problems. Could it be that the coils are not going bad but the module is the cause??? I am a older fogie, and these newer electronic stuff is a little beyond me. Think I will try our local Napa store and see if they can test the module. Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

[parkavenuechrome]

The coil could just be bad.. it should be under warranty.. make sure the wires are in good shape as well.. The module shouldn't kill a coil, but who knows whats possible. I would suspect a bad coil purchased. the coils shouldn't be 100 bucks either, 29.99 each at most.. I would change all 3 if 1 goes bad they will all go bad at somepoint.

[novice11]

Originally Posted by parkavenuechrome

The coil could just be bad.. it should be under warranty.. make sure the wires are in good shape as well.. The module shouldn't kill a coil, but who knows whats possible. I would suspect a bad coil purchased. the coils shouldn't be 100 bucks either, 29.99 each at most.. I would change all 3 if 1 goes bad they will all go bad at somepoint.

Thanks for your answer, it has the magnavox type ignition where all coils are one unit, and come to find out it was the module. Napa checked it and was bad both coils were fine (old one and new one) so I am out 109.00 dollars but was due for a change anyway has 130,000 on it. Napa wanted $204 for new module but found 2 on ebay, one new and one used. bidding on the new one. I know it will go a lot cheaper than 200 bucks if not I will go for the used at $40 buy now. The used one is
quaranteed to be in good working order.
I have been told the module can be intermittant or all bad, part bad?
Will let you know when I get the module if it fixes it up.
Thanks again for your input.
Novice

[parkavenuechrome]

not a problem.. Yes on side of the Module can go bad at any time. I would definetly go new either way. good luck with it!