2 replies to this topic

[buxvan]

today i fitted the full length dashboard to my clubman van.
until today the ignition electrics were fine & the engine ran perfectly.

i spent ages connecting the dash wiring & when i went to start the engine it instantly fired up but when i release the ignition key after the engine fires up it instantly dies.

have found out that if i start the engine & keep the key fully turned (as if i was using the starter) she will run as usual. i mean engine is running, not just being turned over by the starter motor.

i,m pretty sure it is related to my tacho.

my engine is a rebuilt 1987 mg metro with factory electronic distributor.

the 3 clock instruments are from a 1972 1275GT

i was advised earlier today before i started this work that i connected the white/black wire from the coil to the male bullet connector on the back of the tacho which i did & have used a light green/white wire (switch live) & connected it to the female bullet connector on tacho rear.

the 3 clock dash is using the original printed circuit thingy.

on a plus point, my fuel gauge works !

another strange thing is that when i turn the ignition key to position 1 the oil & charge lamps come on , but very dim, also the indicators try to work but just glow dimly. (they should not come on on position 1 should they?)

when on position 2 everything is fine .

i am fine with old car & motorcycle electrics but not today it seems.

thanks for reading & hopefully with your help i can sort this evil thing out.

[WiredbyWilson]

Have you tried disconnecting the tacho and seeing if all is well then? It sounds like somehow the feeds to the solenoid / ignition have become muddled.

We probably need more details as to what wiring you may have altered. Have you got a Haynes book of lies handy? Also you state the age of the engine and the clocks but not the van - as we cant help if we don't know what loom the van may have.

WiredByWilson

Edited by Wilson1330, 14 May 2012 - 08:56 PM.

[buxvan]

thanks for the helpful reply,

right, my mini is a 79 clubman estate (now a clubman van) using its standard wiring loom.

i have the haynes manual (fairy story book !)

using wiring diagram for 1275 gt & clubman estate 1976 onwards the diagram shows a white/black & a light green/orange connecting into the tacho.

i had a spare white/black behind the dash (which i checked with my multimeter communicates with the white/black coil connection)

searched high & low for light green/orange to no avail so have used a light green/white which was a vacant wire with female bullet connector. ( have converted to male bullet as this was the other tacho connection) this is a switch live when the ignition is switched on .

after all this the tacho didn't work either !

havent tried disconnecting tacho wires yet as wife moaning & the dash takes ages to remove.

hope this info helps. have just disconnected white/black wire at tacho & now engine runs perfectly, also now on ignition switch position 1 no dim oil & charge lights ! have i got a duff tacho ?

Edited by buxvan, 14 May 2012 - 09:47 PM.