Blew THIRD Ignition control Module!!! HELP!!!
 

I bought my car 84 Euro 500SL, knowing it needed a little lovin. I've now put the THIRD ignition module box.(yes the box screwed down to the inner drivers side fender) Granted the two ignition boxes I replaced my original with were used. But they worked!!! A couple days after the car was running, (Good, but not great) It dies on me and will not start again. No Spark, no power to the distributor/coil Nothing. It turns over and smells like gas. Replaced the ignition box twice. Car started right up.

After just getting my car towed after dying the THIRD time. I'm starting to think something else is the cause of the problem. What could make my ignition module box go bad so often??? I'm clueless!!
Thank You.

Chase
84 Euro SL500

Chase, it's important that all the ignition components (distributor cap, distributor rotor, ignition wires and coil) are in good condition. I'd check/replace those before installing another ignition control module.

Ditto!!!!

Coil, coil wire, & cap/rotor are the common causes of module failure.

apparently there is a special dialectric paste that must be applied to the back of the ezl module or it will short out.very important.i recommend a search for more details:)

That dielectric grease doesn't apply to the 1984 models....

Thanks Guys, We've checked the cap and rotor, they are both damn near brand new. I guess replacing the coil and coil wire wouldn't hurt. It just seems like theres something more major wrong with the car. I'm picking up a brand new (for the first time) ignition module, the 3rd party (smaller and flat one) I'll double check the ignition pieces and we'll go from there.

Thanks again!!

Chase
84 Euro 500SL

Making sure that the rotor is the correct part..not excessive air gap.

Checking resistance of all of the secondary ignition, incl...wires, cap, & rotor.

Yes, the cap & rotor have built-in resistors.

Don't put in another module without replacing the coil with a new one. A previous defective module could have overheated the coil causing possible shorts between primary windings which would cause excessive current though the switching transistor in the ignition module.

thank god!! hopefully the module(s) dont cost an arm and a leg like the EZL:)

Ok. Dumb question. What is the EZL? I have an '85 500SL (Euro).

Not a Dumb question at all, I'll second that question. Thanks for asking it!! Anybody???

one more thing ----make sure that no mods were done to vehicle that might leave ignition module powered up when key off.i used to find that leaving ignition turned on while working on those cars would fry the module.

I don't exaxtly know what EZL is an acronym for, but it is another word for ignition control module.

Beckman technologies in North Carolina sells rebuilt ignition control modules.

www.beckmanntechnologies.com/

I've been told that www.4mercedes.com also sells them.

Thanks, Paul. I don't see where anyone could come up with EZL from an ICM. Maybe it's a German thing.

Rather than pay outrageous prices to Beckmann and others, I've picked up a couple used (one NOS) off of eBay for about $25.00. I've also used Matt Bourne out in CA for a few parts ( bournes11@gmail.com ). He's honest and will negotiate a bit on price.

I picked up the third one on ebay for 99 Cents!!! Plus $10 shipping!!!