10 replies to this topic

[newenglandmini]

Question withdrawn.  Would an admin kindly delete this posting.

Thanks.

Edited by newenglandmini, 08 December 2015 - 05:18 PM.

[xrocketengineer]

This is what the MiniSpares web site says:

 

http://www.minispare...t-type-ignition

[dklawson]

Corey, the powers that be don't really like us to delete threads.  It won't hurt to leave this one behind even if you have deleted your initial post.

[newenglandmini]

Hi Doug.  I tried to cancel the posting because after posting I read an earlier response you made to my posting "Static Timing", which seemed to contradict the wiring diagram!  So I'll try again.

 

The wiring diagram shows the following:

 

1. a colored wire (yellow/black) from coil (-) to the distributor
2. a black wire from coil (+) to the ignition switch
3. a ground wire at the distributor

 

Minispares says:

 

1. red distributor wire to coil (+) and black distributor to coil (-)
2. harness points wire - (not used)

Clear enough, but now there is no connection to 12 volts, nor to the ignition switch.  Can you explain how this works?

Thanks.

[dklawson]

Well that confuses me. 

 

If I remember correctly, isn't your car a mid-1970s Mini?  That would be well after the introduction of negative ground/earth.

 

For a standard points, negative earth ignition the schematic should show a white wire from the ignition switch to coil (+).  There should be a white/black wire between coil (-) and the points in the distributor.  Inside the distributor will be a small, high-flex wire between the breaker plate and dizzy housing, and the dizzy housing is earthed through its mounting to the block.

 

If your car had a factory ballast ignition system, there would be a white/pink coming from the ignition switch going to coil (+).  There would also be a white/yellow on coil (+) with its other end connected to a 4th (small) male spade terminal on the starter solenoid.  As before, there would be a high-flex wire inside the distributor and the dizzy still gets its earth connection through its mounting to the block.

 

The factory installations for negative earth would not have had the colors you mentioned and I have never seen an earth wire at the distributor.

 

The Mini Spares wiring colors you quoted sound like those used for a Pertronix Ignitor or similar aftermarket ignition.  The factory white wire from the ignition switch still goes to coil (+).  You disconnect the white/black wire between the coil (-) terminal and the distributor.  The Ignitor module's red wire is its power connection for its electronics.  It gets connected to coil (+) to get +12V.  The module's black wire is the earth path for coil current.  The black wire gets connected to coil (-).  The module's electronics get their earth connection through the module's mounting foot.  Make sure that little high-flex wire is in place inside the distributor.

 

Let me know if I have misunderstood the age of your car and what you are trying to do.

[newenglandmini]

Doug, the wiring colors are as noted in a wiring diagram provided by a forum member.  I've discarded my original wiring harness.

 

My car is a 1974.  I am installing minispares distributor GEU930MS which has one red and one black wire, which minispares says is wired as I noted above.  I also have minispares wiring harness 5L1331 and minispares coil GCL216.  If memory serves, I checked with minispares to confirm that these components are mutually compatible.  How do I wire them?

[KernowCooper]

You would put the electronic ignition red wire onto the coil + and the black wire onto the coil - terminal, in your wiring harness you will have white 12v coil feed which also goes onto the coil +, you may have in the loom a White/black coming out in the coil area, one end would have gone to the points which is now not used the other end is for a tacho pick up which terminates in the dash area.

Edited by KernowCooper, 09 December 2015 - 12:43 AM.

[dklawson]

The coil and wiring harness you mentioned are for a "standard" ignition.  I still don't understand the color code in your post.  The harness you bought says its application is appropriate for the Mk3 -S.  See the diagram linked below for the Mk3 -S.  

http://www.minimania...Fs/wiring02.pdf

 

You'll notice that the coil is powered by a white wire coming from the ignition switch and the white/black going from coil (-) to the distributor.  If your harness has different colors, you are going to have to trace those wires back in the harness to where they come from.

 

The distributor does not receive a ground wire... not in factory wiring.

Black wires should never be used for anything other than ground/earth wires on a British car.  There are some black wires with colored stripes used on some wiring schemes for later British cars but not an early car.

 

Once you have figured out which wire provides an ignition switch controlled +12V, connect it to coil (+).  That will power the coil.

 

The ignition module hooks up as Mini Spares and I both said, red to coil (+), black to coil (-).  That's it for the basic electronic ignition wiring.  

[newenglandmini]

Thanks gents.  That's the info I needed.

 

Doug, I believe 5L1331 is correct for my car.  The detailed description indicates it is correct for 1969-1976 mini and cooper s.

 

 

This is the wiring diagram I'm using. 

 

 Mini wiring diagram (1970).jpg   53.13K   17 downloads

 

Edited by newenglandmini, 09 December 2015 - 12:51 PM.

[dklawson]

I am sure the harness you bought will work.  What concerns me are the color codes you mentioned in your second post (post #4 in this thread).  In post #4 you said:

 

The wiring diagram shows the following:

1. colored wire (yellow/black) from coil (-) to the distributor
2. black wire from coil (+) to the ignition switch
3. ground wire at the distributor

That is not what I see on the diagram you provided in your last post.  Your diagram matches the diagram I supplied the link to and it matches the text descriptions I gave earlier.  White wire from the switch to coil (+), white/black between coil (-) and the distributor.  No ground wire on the distributor.  That ground symbol (inverted tree) just means that the distributor housing is a ground connection.  It does not indicate the presence of a wire to ground.

 

Color wiring diagrams can be helpful but can also be confusing if the colors are not accurate or in the case of the one you are working with... are blurry.  Regardless, the wire from the ignition switch to coil (+) will be white, not black.  You will not be using the white/black wire between coil (-) and the distributor.  That wire's function will be replaced by the ignition module's black wire which you will connect to coil (-).  The module's red wire will go to coil (+) so the electronics can be supplied with 12V.

 

If you have a black wire connected to the coil, that will be an earth ground and it doesn't belong on the coil.  Look for the white wire as shown on your diagram and mine.  That's what you need to supply the 12V to the coil and the ignition module.

[newenglandmini]

Thanks Doug.