Where to find new ignition coil?

[TomE]

I've read the various threads about this being a GM part but am having huge difficulty tracking it down, as it appears only to have been fitted to US cars and hence not stocked in the UK other than by Lotus.

The 6 Lotus main dealers and specialists I've tried are all waiting on a back order from the Lotus factory and in the meantime my car's off the road . Anyone know where I might be able to find this - Lotus part A100E6084F or GM part 150468391 (the whole coil assembly).

Tom

[Sy V]

It's an ISUZU unit, but I'm not sure of the part number under their system.

These people might be able to help though:
http://www.247spares.co.uk/carpartsearc ... ake=ISUZU/

[M100 TWO]

TomE where do you live

[DeeAitch]

The coils are $25 each in America Nip over for a free holiday

[TomE]

I'm in Surrey but have also been trying some of the Lotus specialists further afield, such as SJ Sportscars and Paul Matty.

Sy, on the Isuzu part, I gather from other threads that the Elan engine is the same as the Isuzu Impulse (is that correct?) but the pictured unit on the site you've referenced is very different to the item on my car. Can anyone confirm which Isuzu the coil is from or can anyone advise what the Isuzu part number is?

If anyone in the US has the url for an online parts outlet (or an old fashioned phone number!) that ships to the UK, I'd be really interested. So far Lotus are unable to advise any timescale for providing the part.

Tom

[Dave M]

OPTION #1: I don't know where the $25 quote from Dave is from, but sounds good to me!

OPTION #2: other parts sites for the same GM/Lotus part - Sy listed one and I'm sure there are plenty of others.

OPTION #3: MSD part #8224 - OEM replacement coil If you wanted to replace the coil(s) with something arguably better.

http://www.msdignition.com/coil_blaster_9_8224.htm

These are direct bolt-on fit. $40 at one place I checked - might be able to get them through a UK distributor?

OPTION #4: I have the stock coils from my car still (I'm using the MSD ones now). If you have no luck with the above, let me know. I'd like to keep them just in case, but would consider selling one.

[DeeAitch]

OPTION #1: I don't know where the $25 quote from Dave is from, but sounds good to me!

advanceautoparts.com or partsamerica.com
Seem to be on almost every street corner - sorry block:wink:
Actually $22 + tax. They have AC delco @ $45 if you are feeling flush.
Please note these are coils only and you need two.

BTW they also have recon rear calipers in stock @ $45 + $50 'core' or new in 1 day @ $ 75 Bit of a bargain, must post this in a suitable place.

[TomE]

Thanks to all for the useful pointers. The story so far, per Dave M's options:

1) Advanceautoparts/partsamerica won't ship outside the US

2) Other GM/Isuzu/Lotus parts sites I've tried all seem to work from the car model not the part number - anyone know any specific GM/Isuzu make/model/year cars this part was used on?

3) MSD do have a UK distribution outlet but neither they nor MSD US will confirm that the #8224 part is a suitable substitute for the GM/Lotus part. They've said they can't cross-reference to GM part numbers, which surprised me for a firm offering replacement/upgrade parts! So, I wanted to get some further confirmation before waiting 2-3 weeks for the part to get shipped over to the UK. Dave M, did you manage to do a straight drop-in replacement for the Lotus/GM coils without changing other parts of the ignition system or having to change any setup?

4) Thanks for the offer, but let's see if I can't track down a new part and let you keep yours.

5) Lotus: Bell & Colvill called Lotus today and then spoke to the Japanese factory Lotus use to source this part, to establish timescales for re-stocking. They were told that the part is no longer manufactured! Given how widely used it is on GM cars, this doesn't stack up with what you guys are saying about availability in the US! So, another call to Lotus tomorrow to see if they have any plans to source elsewhere.

6) Used parts: I've also just had my Club Lotus magazine today, which has reminded me to try a couple of the Lotus breakers yards tomorrow too.

[chrisP]

Tom
I'm in the same boat as you on this one, I spoke to the msd dealer in the UK before reading your posts, they said that it would usually take a couple of months to ship to the uk as they normally use sea transport, Air mail was somewhere in the region of £50. I also spoke to one breaker who wanted £15 less than the amount Lotus charge for a second hand coil. I'm going searching this weekend to see what I can find. I'll keep you updated. I don't suppose there is a helpful member the other side of the water that could purchase a couple and have them shipped over is there??

Cheers
Chris

[Dave M]

I don't suppose there is a helpful member the other side of the water that could purchase a couple and have them shipped over is there??

I'm always willing to help with shipping if anyone needs it. The MSD quote of 50 pounds for shipping is a rip. It is almost twice as much for air vs. boat, but I can't imagine it would be that much. As a comparison, shipping for one of my rear strut bars seems to be around $28 (maybe 15 pounds?)

Tom, yes the MSD unit bolts right in. I even used the bolts that come with the coil (they are shorter than stock) with no issues.

[chrisP]

I may have to take you up on that Dave, I have tried plenty of US based sites and they will not sell outside the States. The price of £50 was way to much as well. The packs were near enough that price each as well, There is nothing like making a profit I suppose. Anyway I have to check out the local isuzu dealer at the weekend, to see if they can get any. I'll let people know the out come.

Cheers
Chris

[ESM]

Discount auto parts ship to the UK (I've bought from them recently) and they stock several compatible parts. Search for electrical parts from a 1991 Isuzu the select Impluse RS and then ignition coil from the list. You then get a list of coils - make sure you get a DIS one. Would probaly cost around $40 + $30 shipping + import taxes though (£50).

[TomE]

I am now going to be in Washington DC on business this week so should be able to bring back a small number of these coils. I won't have time to get out to an auto shop, so will have to order them for delivery to my Washington office. So, chrisP and anyone else who wants them, I'll need your orders by noon UK time on Monday (31 Oct) so that I can get the parts delivered to me before I leave Washington on Thursday.

Tomorrow I'll need to speak to a couple of US parts suppliers to confirm they can get a shipment to me in time but the choice looks to be:

1) The discountautoparts GM/Isuzu item at around $80 per pair (you can have either the standard or AC Delco part); shipping is $6.95 but may be more if I have to go for next day/2 day.

2) MSD Ignition (performance upgrade) item at $90 per pair; shipping is $17.99 for the 2 day service.

Costs may come down a bit depending on how many orders I have. Shipping the parts to you once I'm back in the UK will be at cost, so depends on how quick you need them and whether you can pick them up from me in mid Surrey.

I suggest you send me a private message with your order and daytime/evening phone numbers in case I need to consult with you during this week.

[TomE]

To conclude this story: after a bit of sleuthing I found a very helpful supplier of the MSD coils in the US (http://www.jegs.com) who have a 24-hour phone order line and could cope with a UK credit card billing address plus a US delivery address.

Parts were ordered 2am UK time on a Tuesday and arrived at my US office 11am East Coast time on the Wed. I even got them back through the airport security scanners and the car is now running again . Cost for the pair of coils was $100/£58 including delivery within US (split with ChrisP who also ordered a set). They could also have shipped to UK.

I'll post all the useful info I've found into the Parts forum.

Thanks to everyone who offered help and advice!

Tom

[Dave M]

Glad to hear you got it sorted, Tom. Hopefully Chris has the same result.

[chrisP]

Yes thanks to Tom, my car is back, up and running. Took some time to diagnose the problem as I was getting a spark on all cylinders (when tested with a spark plug) it just turned out that it wasn't a very powerful spark for one of the cylinders, which meant that it broke down as soon as the boost came in. I had replace several parts trying to find the problem so its probably running better than it was pre ignition module problem.

Chris

[stevieg8571]

Hi Tom and Chris, glad you've got the ignition problem sorted.

I'm going to be buying a pair of the MSD coils when I go over to the states next year but would like to know if you need to buy the interface module too, or just the coils themselves?

My elan's idleing is really poor, after progressively driving worse on the way home last Sunday. I checked the spark with a spare plug and although I got a spark from all 4 leads, removing leads 1 & 4 didn't make any difference to the engine at all. Removing leads 2 & 3 really made it struggle! I'm thinking that the coil that supplies plugs 1 & 4 is buggered so will try source just a single coil for now, just to keep me off on the road, but will def replace them both with the MSD items Easter(ish).
I do have friends over there (the people I'm going to visit so could ask them to help out if necessary) but am willing to stay standard for now.

Do you agree with my diagnosis? (big word I know, but didn't touch a drop last night so am feeling more intelligent than usual for a Saturday!)

Thanks in advance, Steve

[chrisP]

Steve
Yeah sound very similar to the problems, I have been having with my car until I got the new coils. One thing to do would be to swap the packs over and see if 2 & 3 struggle to make a spark? You don't need to remove the coil from the car, there are two bolts for each pack that secure them to the base 6mm iirc. To be honest I don't think that anything else apart from the coil packs. Good luck with finding a pack in the uk though because when I was looking you couldn't get any until mid December. Might just be better to get your friends to ship the packs over now and save money and hassle. let us know how you get on.

Chris

[stevieg8571]

Cheers Chris,

Looks like I'll spending my 2 days off (Thurs & Fri) in the garage trying to sort the ignition system. Wouldn't life be boring without cars to work on!!!

I'll keep everyone informed.

[Dave M]

I'm going to be buying a pair of the MSD coils when I go over to the states next year but would like to know if you need to buy the interface module too, or just the coils themselves?

Just the coils, Steve. The Elan has its own interface. The coils just pop right on. If you use one of MSD's ignition modules (timing computer or other), then you need the interfaces.