Automobile ignition power transistor

[Kevin Weddle]

Has anbody ever heard of these going bad? I want to replace mine, but it's too expensive. I just want to know if I might get better performance with a brand new ignition power transistor?

[audioguru]

Of course a power transistor in a hot car can fail. It won't gradually go bad, it will just stop working completely. All it does is switch on then switch off. A new one will perform exactly the same.

Change the engine's air filter to get better performance.

[ante]

Has anbody ever heard of these going bad? I want to replace mine, but it's too expensive. I just want to know if I might get better performance with a brand new ignition power transistor?

I find it more likely that another part/component has gone bad. I would check the wiring and the connectors for oxidation and dirt/moist.
Some ignition modules have internal temperature protection and if the cooling of the module is not sufficient it reduces power and eventually shuts down. Check the surface between the module and the chassis for corrosion. Clean both surfaces (metal clean) and apply some new silicon grease to it. 

As AG says: a new air filter can increase the performance, and so can a set of new plugs and even new plug wires!

[audioguru]

even new plug wires!

Good idea, Ante. ;D
I saw my old spark plug wires at night sparking all over the place from small cracks in the insulation. The car started quicker and ran a lot smoother with new wires.

[ante]

I bet you got an improved mileage too!

The energy from the coil should be used to ignite the fuel inside the engine not illuminate the engine compartment! ;D

[ante]

Well Kevin, did you get your sparks straightened out?

[Kevin Weddle]

Never had a problem. It's just that my car needs any benefit I can give it.

[ante]

Never had a problem. It's just that my car needs any benefit I can give it.

Can you elaborate, do you lack power, torque, smooth running, better mileage or do you just want be nice to the environment?

[Kevin Weddle]

I do tinker with cars a lot. I'll do major work when I have to. About half the time I create a lot of trouble for myself, but it get's fixed. I do anything that is easy, so as to avoid major work.

[ante]

OK, so you just like to fiddle with is for good or bad?
Remember, if you do some of the easy jobs wrong it creates major work!  ;D

[Kevin Weddle]

My car runs great for it's age. It's really too bad though, that people who think their car is in good shape develop major porblems anyway. I really depend on that thing.