Anyone ever have one of these not work because the optics were too dirty?

It's 20 years old('86) with alot of carbon dust build up,didn't quit working at once,it was intermittent over 3 days.I put another in,off the engine on the stand,and all is well.

The entire ignition is Mallory-HyFire IV(old one with rev limiter,#692)Promaster 29440 coil,ballast resistor,mech.adv.Unilite,Sidewinder wires.I don't see how I could have gotten the wrong voltage to the Unilite and cause a failure,if that happened.


P.S.-No need to post how crappy Mallorys are,this one is 20 years old with the first (non?)problem of any,the other is from '90 and the Comp 9000 is from '98+/-.They are fine units.

A google found this:http://www.centuryperformance.com/mallory/unitest.asp

Never heard of one being dirty, but I guess that could happen. I've had mine since about '89 or '90 and the module go intermittent once, probably due to starting it on a booster.

I agree, they are good units.

You must have a ballast resister inline and it sounds like you do. The modules are very sensitive to voltage spikes and it's probably toast.
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Not sure how sensitive they really are, but my rollbar was welded in while it was hooked up. I forgot all about disconnecting the battery or didnt think about it.

I've been running Unilite's for quite a while with no problem's. Never had one fail either.

Anyone ever have one of these not work because the optics were too dirty?

It's 20 years old('86) with alot of carbon dust build up,didn't quit working at once,it was intermittent over 3 days.I put another in,off the engine on the stand,and all is well.

The entire ignition is Mallory-HyFire IV(old one with rev limiter,#692)Promaster 29440 coil,ballast resistor,mech.adv.Unilite,Sidewinder wires.I don't see how I could have gotten the wrong voltage to the Unilite and cause a failure,if that happened.


P.S.-No need to post how crappy Mallorys are,this one is 20 years old with the first (non?)problem of any,the other is from '90 and the Comp 9000 is from '98+/-.They are fine units.

Clean it with alcohol and a Q-Tip.
If dirt is all that's wrong, it will work again.

Thanks for the input guys,and thanks for the link above also.