Delta 88 Royale Brougham
engine 3800 Vin C, Mileage 202K

1989 Delta 88 Coil pack adhesive.

Problem cold Hard start when ambient temp is less 30 degrees
Coil ohms readings; secondary 11.8k; 12k; 13.84k; primary .7ohms; .7ohms, 0 ohms

I'm replacing the original coil pack with an AC Delco D552 coil pack.

Upon removing the original Coil Pack, Greenish Adhesive is on the lower third of coil pack and Ignition control module (ICM), from the coil closest to the radiator. The adhesive is all over the place and on the yellow wire connector for yellow secondary wire.

Is this a common occurrence upon removing the coil pack?

I'm not sure if the adhesive is also from the ICM.

Can the adhesive just be cleaned up on the yellow connector and install the new coil pack. What should I use to clean the adhesive; I do not want to damage the current ICM ?

What has caused this adhesive to leak?

Would you suggest to also get a new ICM to Coil pack gasket?

Can the adhesive be also from the Ignition module and if so does the ignition module need to be changed.? This adhesive is extremely sticky. Can the adhesive be scraped from the ignition module?

The instructions on coil testing were very valuable provided I read the meter correctly.

Thanks

Is it possible what you have is old dielectric grease? Any chance you can get a picture of this?

Unfortunately I do not have a digital camera.

The consistency is that of a melted hershey bar and the color is light pale green. At the upper part of the ICM (closest to the firewall) and under the what appears to be a clear plastic sheath the color is also a light pale green. This adhesive is very very sticky.

Upon closer observation of the ICM (on the car) this green paste could be from the ICM. I do not know what the ICM material consists of. Perhaps the bad coil got hot and caused this sticky paste to come from under the ICM plastic Sheath?

Have you seen this occur before?

Personally, I think it'* old dielectric grease. There'* not much that can seep out. I guess if the coil got cooked it could leak the resin between the windings. When you put your new coils on make sure you use dielectric grease.

Thanks for your comment about the resin;. Because I think that is what I have been describing is a type of melted resin. I looked again at the ICM and the coil pack.

I am almost positive what has leaked out or actually melted is from the ICM. The quantity is about 2 ounces liquid which is a lot and it is on the gasket as well. It is almost like super glue. The consistency is like salt water taffy. The tackiness is that of a pest control glue stick.

I lifted up the clear plastic sheath on the old coil pack and its black clear (resin?) seems intact.

Have you heard of an Ignition control module melting? I think I'm looking at replacement Ignition control module as well; something I was not planning on.

Driveability was very good other than cold mornings less than 30 degrees.

Thanks.

I honestly don't recall hearing of this problem before. Look in a salvage yard for a replacement ICM

Thanks.

I would think any ICM for this vehicle at a yard would have to be pretty old as this is a 1989 Delta 88 royale brougham, wonder about reliability.

I found this link on a melted coil/icm; Although I don't know which part melted.

Ignition coils/ICM - Oldsmobile Forums

Thanks for the suggestions.

Only suggestion I have is to find a replacement at a scrap yard. Or you can try Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto and see if they have new.

My question is if the coils Ohms read OL are the coils no good - game over; and if I crank the car in this condition (with the salvage yard coil pack /ignition module) could I damage other electrical components such as the PCM ect?

Also could the Salvage yard coils be bad and the ignition module be good? I do have a brand new ACdelco coil pack D552.

Background

I picked up a coilpack / ignition control module from a salvage yard labeled 1989 park avenue 3800.


I checked the ohms on the coils / ICM. The three coils read OL on my meter.; I checked the ohms both before I installed it in my car and then after completely installing it. The readings were the same - OL. I was not sure if the Ignition Module wires needed to be connected to give me a proper readout.

I did not turn the key to see if the car would fire because I thought my readings indicated an open and did not want to risk damaging any other component on this good vehicle.

I took the part back to the salvage yard and was advised cracking the car would not damage anything and I could go back and try it again.

Please provide your input .

Thank you for your assistance

OL should be over limit. Do you have a selectable range? If so, turn up to the next range.