28 replies to this topic

[ministe]

Updated on page two with a new problem!

Hi guys,

I've just fitted a new electronic ignition kit to my 1990 998 mini. But now when I turn the key it won't start up. I get both ignition lights (red and orange) and the rev counter flickers once on the first marker of the barrel but when it's turned to start up the lights go out and nothing happens.

Any ideas guys?

Edited by ministe, 08 May 2011 - 06:25 AM.

[Big_Adam]

What kit we talking here?

[ministe]

It's a electronic ignition kit from a company called h & h ignition solutions. I brought it from the guy at the Bingley Hall show a few weeks back.

[bmcecosse]

Battery connections/earth ok?

[ministe]

Battery connections are ok. Just gave them a wire brushing to clean them up but still nothing. When the ignition is turned fully their is a slight whining/grinding noise. Starter motor trying to turn over?

[bmcecosse]

So it's nothing to do with the ignition - it is bad connections somewhere.

[ministe]

I'll go over all the connections again. Is 2 wires from the dizzy, connected to the pos and neg on the coil correct?

[bmcecosse]

No idea! I assume it came with instructions. Personally - I'm a points person and wouldn't be hassled with electronic ignition.

[Bluecray]

Surprised no one has mentioned that the distributor has to be moved to almost a new place

I fitted mine with electronic ignition and it wouldn't start at 1st, I turned the distributor around a fair amount before it fired, then I got my strobe light on it and got the timing right.......

[ministe]

What do you mean by moving the distributor?

[Bluecray]

What do you mean by moving the distributor?

The engine timing is set by the distributor i.e. it tells when the spark plugs to fire, and if the plugs aint firing at the right time, the engine wont fire.

Putting electronic ignition on, alters the timing, thus the engine wont fire.

The distributor is held by a clamp, undo it and move the distributor a bit, I forget which way (think clockwise???) until the engine fires.

You then need to set the timing properly by means of a strobe light, for a mini 1000 its 8 degrees.

[Ethel]

You may well have to adjust the timing slightly, and it sounds like you've wired it correctly, unless you've got the wires on the coil terminals the wrong way round.

None of this should have anything to do with it not turning over though - unless, perhaps, it has ballasted ignition?

A quicky test would be to disconnect the dizzy wiring and see if it will turn over - it'll tell you if the issues are related.

[tommy13]

You should reset the timing with a strobe once you get it going. As said by Bmcecosse, your symptoms are thet of a bad battery connection of you have a flat battery. Try jump leads for a quick answer.

[ministe]

Hooked the battery up to my dads Zafira with some jump leads and it was doing exactly the same thing.

What would happen if I disconnected the distributor and tried to start it? I'm thinking of putting the old points an condenser back in and seeing if it will start then.

[tommy13]

Have you tried undoing the wiring connections you have made and then see if the engine turns over as Ethel has suggested ?. Disconnecting them will do no damage, the engine should turn over on the starter but obviousley it will not start.
Perhaps you could put up the fitting instructions / wiring diagram supplied ?.