3 replies to this topic

[Madmax]

right guys, ive got to give my neighbour a helping hand with their 69 cooper, its just been re-shelled and its now got a '88 998 engine in it whilst the original 1275 is rebuilt.

all of a sudden yesterday the car cut out, didnt over heat or run too cold, and when we tried start it at night after leaving it for a bit, sparks can be seen in the dizzy cap, what i assume then is that the rotor arm or cap need replacing, so we just got them from my work

any other ideas why it might be doing this??

cheers, would be appreciated for as much info before tomorrow morning

james

[cowboy]

sparks can be seen in the dizzy cap,

what type of dizzy cap you got and where were the sparks seen?

does sound like the dizzy is shorting out to me so once you replace it, it should be OK

:wales:

[dklawson]

I've seen this before on non-Minis. There can be hairline cracks and/or mold scars on the cap that become conductive, particularly when weather is damp or humid. Replace the cap and rotor. While you're at it, take a close look at the condition of the high-tension wires. If their insulation is old and cracked near the boots on the cap, there can also be arcing post to post on the cap from the wires.

[Madmax]

thanks guys

dklawson you are entirely correct, it was exactly that, small crack on the outer casing, causing it to short out, new cap and arm on, and it started first time