# 1989 z-24 electrical **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [March 2, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-z-24-electrical/27202 "2009-03-02T21:35:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![miller2008](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@miller2008](https://community.cartalk.com/u/miller2008)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-z-24-electrical/27202/1 "2009-03-02T21:35:55Z")
what would cause the same ignition coil to burn out twice in two weeks ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-z-24-electrical/27202/2 "2009-03-02T22:30:28Z")
I would look at DC inputs or something that is causing coil to always be at max output. Of course grounds always should be checked.What about overall electrical system condition? Z-24 is this a Cavalier or Lumina I can’t remember what, engine? Is it a waste fire system? ---
**Author:** ![miller2008](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@miller2008](https://community.cartalk.com/u/miller2008)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-z-24-electrical/27202/3 "2009-03-02T22:36:34Z")
it is a cavalier and has the 2.8 v-6. the electrical system is not in the best condition but this is the worst problem i have had with it. where should i start when checking the ground connections? my son recently added an amp and subs would this have effect? ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 12:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-z-24-electrical/27202/4 "2009-03-03T00:22:03Z")
I have not thought about the effect of low DC input voltages on the coils. as for grounds I would have to look all around the engine compartment,just make sure they are there. The junction at the big terminal at the starter and the wiring in this area has been a problem spot. I am not sure but I think there are some fuseable links in that area. What I can add about the amp and subs is extra load on a marginal system not good but I am not making a connection yet. I am going to do a little reading about the exact ignition system you have maybe something of value comes up. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 5:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-z-24-electrical/27202/5 "2009-03-03T05:14:07Z")
When there is excessive current through a component it can burn that component out. Excessive current can result when something in the circuit has too little resistance. [http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c1528003b8c4](http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c1528003b8c4) Check the ohms of the spark plug wires and spark plugs. If the resistance is low in either, that could be causing the coil to burn out. ---
**Author:** ![miller2008](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@miller2008](https://community.cartalk.com/u/miller2008)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-z-24-electrical/27202/6 "2009-03-08T02:29:47Z")
I looked at the grounds today and did not see anything loose. it has been the same terminal both times, it is the first terminal from the passenger side and is connected to the first spark plug at the rear passenger side. i am still trying to find the problem and appreciate all of the suggestions ---
**Author:** ![miller2008](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@miller2008](https://community.cartalk.com/u/miller2008)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-z-24-electrical/27202/7 "2009-03-08T02:31:58Z")
i changed the plugs and wires before i found the ignition coil burned the first time now i have no ideas ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2009, 3:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1989-z-24-electrical/27202/8 "2009-03-08T03:39:53Z")
Has anybody said you should be using the repair manual and a digital multimeter to check for the voltage and ohm values in the Direct Ignition System as instructed in that repair manual? Your wiring diagram is Fig. 43. [http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c1528003bdaa](http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c1528003bdaa) Doesn’t it take more spark energy, from the ignition coil, to jump the spark plug gap in a lean running cylinder? And, also, more coil energy if the spark plug has a wide gap? More coil energy makes the coil hotter. A lower power supply voltage to the ignition coil will require a longer saturation time, and therefore, less cooling time, for the ignition coil to build up enough spark to jump the spark plug gap. Of course, this is all just theory. You would have to make the measurents, of ohms and volts, to see if any applies to your problem.