Starting problem on 27230

[scarebus]

Two years ago did the 27230. Last year changed to new
permatune CD. No problems whatsoever until last week,
after stopping at my friend's garage for ten minutes, tried
to start. Engine turns over but finally started after three
attempts. Normally will start at first crank. Two days after,
meanwhile normal all the way, it just cranked. Smelt fuel
out of exhaust, so it must be ignition. Left the car at work.
Next afternoon, cranked it and started at first try. Today,
wouldn't start, but after a while, kicking and malletizing
here and there, it started. But didn't take it to work. Pigtail
looks good, changed cap and rotor, cleaned all connectors,
at CD, pigtail, 14or16 pin plug etc. Per wiring diagram,
can't find the speed switch. Any suggestions???? Will take
distributor apart thsi weekend.
Chris

[Early_S_Man]

Was it hot ... say, above 90°F, when it wouldn't start???

If so, the Permatune may be doing the 'hot summer intermittent' failure mode ...

[scarebus]

It happened at night when it got quite cool around 65 deg
and at day time around 80 deg. So far, if the eng starts,
it won't cut off until I arrive to the destination. Last year
when the CD unit started to cut off, it would cut off at
an unpredictable time, and I had to cool it at least 5 min to
get it going. But this time its the initial start. Could be
aux valve stuck open. I'll use 'de-ox' and clean the
connector. Flow meter moves smooth, not binding.

[folcker]

Originally posted by Early_S_Man
Was it hot ... say, above 90°F, when it wouldn't start???

If so, the Permatune may be doing the 'hot summer intermittent' failure mode ...

Early_S_Man,

I have a similar ignition issue but the intermittent failure seems to be when it's cold (in the morning). Though once the weather warms up or if I push the car out of the garage and in direct sun light for awhile it starts up perfectly and will continue to run all day long. Turning the car on-off-on-off all day long, no problems.

So is it the permatune ignition module, if so is it covered under their warrenty? can you explain more about the 'hot summer intermittent' failure mode and how you got around it?

[Early_S_Man]

folcker,

I haven't experienced the hot weather Permatune failure mode personally in my car, but I can duplicate it very easily on one particular 'silver' Permatune [earlier blue-anodized versions don't seem to have this problem] by using a heat lamp on it during testing ...

My suggestion to others experiencing this problem has been to relocate the Permatune to inside the passenger compartment, say, under the driver's seat, or on the tunnel above shift coupler. As long as case temperature is below 175°F, there doesn't seem to be a problem with intermittent failures or cutouts!

[scarebus]

Checked aux vlv, works smoothly. Past three days every time
I started, it wold start right up, morinigs and evenings. But
this morning, around 11 am. it would just crank, not light off.
Waiting for a spare CD unit to arrive.