13 replies to this topic

[nollyd]

Hi all.just wondering.iv got electronic ignition.my car seems to start coughin n splutterin at the same point each morning.ive read on here that you can av the wrong coil.would this be my problem or would u think something else.ie tuning,timing is spot on.used colourtune for tuning.dont know how accurate these are but mini runs fine until i get about 2 miles into trips.any tips would be greatly appreciated.cheers guys.

[Gadgets]

you need a electronic ignition coil. have you been driving like this for ages or only had problem since changing the coil?

[HarrysMini]

Did you change the coil when you installed electronic ignition?
If not then the coil is wrong. I don't know if that's causing your problem though.

[nollyd]

Think iv got wrong coil.changed it about two months ago.gradually getting worse over the last month.?

[lrostoke]

Is the electronic ignition an after market kit or a factory lucas unit.

 

The after market don't need any special coils. just need wiring correctly

[nollyd]

Il av look later.how are they supposed to be wired.just in case.

[lrostoke]

depends if ballast or non ballast.

 

If the electronic ignition is 2 wires red and black then

 

If the coil is ballasted then you leave the coil wiring standard

 

white/pink   and white/yellow to coil positive

 

new wire from white wires on fuse box to electronic unit red wire do not connect to coil

 

black wire from electronic to coil negative.

 

If coil is non ballast

 

then red wire goes to coil positive, black wire coil negative.

[miniman24]

Ive got an Accuspark kit and didnt have to change the coil - mine is non-ballast though.

[KernowCooper]

Then you should have a 12v feed to the coil + and the red wire from the electronic on the the same coil + terminal and the other black wire on the coil -

[dklawson]

Waiting for an updated from Nollyd (the OP).

 

As above, for a factory electronic ignition you need the "right" coil.  

For an aftermarket ignition kit any coil can work but with ballast coils the ignition needs to be wired as Lrostoke says.

[KernowCooper]

Best if Ballasted to change the wiring and run a 12v coil and do away with the resistor wiring as lots have overheated and taken the loom out.

[dklawson]

I understand the motive to get rid of the problematic pink wire by replacing a ballast coil with a standard one.  However, that is not necessary to replace the coil to achieve the desired result.

 

Other car makers used an external ballast resistor instead of the pink resistance wire.  You CAN tape off the pink wire, fit a new white wire directly to the fuse box, and connect an external ballast resistor in series with the new white wire to power the existing ballast coil.  That retains the function of the ballast ignition system, removes the potential problems of the pink wire, and can cost less than buying a brand new coil.

 

External Ballast Resistor Link Below:

http://www.holden.co...m&pCode=030.009

That's a 1.6 Ohm resistor and it would work fine in place of the pink wire.

[KernowCooper]

Maybe the case Doug but I personally dont see the need to introduce another component. when a well maintained 12v system does the job and by using a Lucas sports coil or similar with the electronic trigger you can open up the plug gaps a bit for increased spark.

 

As you rightly say though if your on a budget then the option is to wire it up as you suggest and retain the ballast coil

[dklawson]

You really can't open the plug gap a lot when you are still using points.  Yes... a little, but not as much as when you are using an electronic ignition.  The electronic ignition allows better charge/discharge times for the coil which allows you to open the plug gap up a bit.

 

The ballast system was developed as a method to allow traditional points ignition systems to develop hotter spark during the engine start process.  Yes, it's an extra component in the system and a different starter solenoid.  However, external ballast resistors almost never fail and they do allow the use of the ballast ignition coil with the benefit of easier starting.  

 

In the end it is the owner's choice and either system will work.  However, replacing the pink wire with the ballast resistor is generally less expensive than buying a coil when a new coil is not needed.