8 replies to this topic

[rifleman]

Hi there guys, after a quick trip to the continent in my mini last year I got caught in the rain on the way back. Had a marigold over the dizzy but some water still got in. Car overheated briefly too. Had the usual water in dizzy issue with a stuttering loss of power and some engine tapping. Dizzy is dried out now and timing (I think) is ok. I have refitted the cylinder head after a gasket change and reset the valve clearances. I have put brand new leads on and have new plugs. The battery is fully charged.

 

 

However! I'm not getting any spark from the plugs. I put on spark plug testers and turned on the ignition but no lights came on. The battery is fully charged. Starter motor is engaging but the engine will not start. Is this likely to be a distributor problem? 

 

 

Any help is appreciated, I'm in central London if anyone wants to pop round or can suggest any anyone who can. I've tried to be as detailed as possible but will answer further in the comments.

 

 

1969 mk2, Morris 1000

 

Thank you in advance.

 

 

[finch661]

simple things to check,are you getting 12v to the coil with the ignition on? are you using a points dizzy or an electronic one? if its points,recheck the gap,or replace. remove the lead that goes from the dizzy to the coil (at the dizzy eng) and check for a spark there (if you getba spark the dizzy cap might be damaged)

[rifleman]

Thank you for your reply I was waiting for my multimeter to arrive. I will do some testing now.

[rifleman]

So I got 11.4 across the coil. I have no spark from the cable when I took it out. It is a points dizzy so will check the gap once I've done some research on just how to do that! 

[finch661]

So I got 11.4 across the coil. I have no spark from the cable when I took it out. It is a points dizzy so will check the gap once I've done some research on just how to do that! 

upgrade the points to the electronic module, saves a lot of hassle

[gazza82]

 

So I got 11.4 across the coil. I have no spark from the cable when I took it out. It is a points dizzy so will check the gap once I've done some research on just how to do that! 

upgrade the points to the electronic module, saves a lot of hassle

 

 

It does but that also takes time and money .. help to get the car going with the current set-up would be more helpful!

[finch661]

 

So I got 11.4 across the coil. I have no spark from the cable when I took it out. It is a points dizzy so will check the gap once I've done some research on just how to do that! 

upgrade the points to the electronic module, saves a lot of hassle
 

 
It does but that also takes time and money .. help to get the car going with the current set-up would be more helpful!

true but for £20, but there is no point replacing the points (assuming they are broken) with more points.... no more dwell settings either and it is more reliable

feel free to contribute a solution though

[trooper]

Rifleman, I've got a very similar problem.  Did you find a solution without replacing the points distributor with an electric one?

 

I've had the current set up (1989/90 City 998cc, all standard parts) working before but it's been static for a couple of years although I haven't moved/replaced/tinkered with anything.  Tried it the other day to no avail.  Found no fuel coming through due to a hole in the fuel hose at the rear.  Replaced that and now got fuel coming through to the spark plugs but no ignition.  Going to replace the lead to the distributor tomorrow and hope that works.  If not I'm at a loss.  Suggestions gratefully received!

[rifleman]

This is probably too late for you but here's the result of what I had done, unfortunately it has taken months to do the work and with winter it wasn't exactly a pressing concern! However the car is now purring along nicely. 

 

I replaced the coil which seemed to have blown as well as a new condenser, points and leads.

Well that seemed to do the trick.

 

Since then I've had this problem twice and both times it was the coil.

I've upgraded to a "coil original sports gold performance type"  minispares MSC105

 

Hope that helps!