10 replies to this topic

[mad4mins]

My car will run fine for 50 miles, and then the points will start to weld together and the car will misfire and splutter down the road, mostly in fourth gear - just no power then it gets worse and worse...

i'm starting to get fed up carrying a spare set of points around...

has anybody got any ideas?? the voltage at the alternator is fine, im just going to change the coil now, but i dont think its this...

maybe the answer is upgrading the distributor to electronic..? anyone know which is the best setup to run and where to buy it??

also im not sure if its related but when the temperature gauge goes above half way its more likely to skip a beat!? i need to change the radiator because its C**p and it cant keep up with the mods ive done..

cheers for any advice

Mad4Mins....

[Zenob1]

M4M,

Have you changed the condensor?

Its there to reduce the arc between the pionts to a spark !

Matt

[Retro_10s]

Aye, seconded.... I always have spare condesors with my spare set of points in the boot, I always change them together. takes like.. 5 minutes.

Not a problem now though, I'm going leccy!

[mad4mins]

yeah replaced that 50 miles ago with the points last time... meant to say....its seemed to last longer when i replaced the condenser as well.. i thought that was the problem but apparentley not...

Slarks have been setting it up for me and they are as confused as i am!!

i just changed the Coil for a Lucas Sports model...just drove it round the block and it seemed ok... i will take it on a longer journey 2 night and see if it does it again...

cheers for the suggestions keep them coming....

[fikus01]

hello there, 1 of my old minis did this before!! have a look at your coil!! if my suspicions are correct you'll have a ballasted type coil running on a standard type coil supply wire!!

in other words if a ballasted coil requires 9 volts and you're putting 12 volts to it that would give you a huuuuge spark but could also be why the points are getting too hot and melting!!

Edited by fikus01, 05 October 2006 - 07:52 PM.

[mad4mins]

fikus01

Of Course!! thanks fikus01..... that will be the reason....

just changed the coil in desperation and it seems ok now.. fingers crossed it was that...

cheers didnt know there where different voltage systems..

tar much M4M

[1984mini25]

hello there, 1 of my old minis did this before!! have a look at your coil!! if my suspicions are correct you'll have a ballasted type coil running on a standard type coil supply wire!!

in other words if a ballasted coil requires 9 volts and you're putting 12 volts to it that would give you a huuuuge spark but could also be why the points are getting too hot and melting!!

Certain models were fitted with Ballasted ignition systems (I forget from which year) to improve performance when starting.
To determine if the vehicle if fitted is fitted with a Ballasted ignition system, check for the supplementary wiring harness incorporating a white/pink lead from the fuse box and coil.

The Ballasted ignition coil lead replaces the original coil feed. The original lead is colour coded white, and is retained in the harness to accommodate the other system, do not connect this white wire to the coil (should be taped up to the loom out the way), failure to do so will result in the coil overheating and melting the points and condenser and similar damage will accrue if a non Ballasted coil if connected up to a Ballasted system

Ballasted system – white pink lead to coil
Non-ballasted system – white lead to coil

[fikus01]

thats the kitty, lol !! i think ballasted ones had a white/yellow wire on the + side of the coil too which went to and extra terminal on the starter solenoid (starter if its pre-engaged) which gave full voltage but only on start up!! my 1983 y plate city had it but i've seen f plate ones without!! maybe it was a factory option!!

[giz]

i had a similar problem with my first mini and after the 4th or 5th time the RAC came out some one asked "have you oiled the points?"
so i put a little oil on the points and hay presto it didn't do it again!
but then the dashboard set on fire.....(i don't thimk they were related tho)


giz

[fikus01]

WOW!!!! oiled the points!!!!!! never heard that one before!! not saying its wrong but i was always told the opposit!! clean and totally dry!!

[mad4mins]

just checked my coil and i have a white and a white/black wires to the coil... so must be a non-ballast type..

the stupid motor factors where i got the old coil must have given me the wrong type!!

fitted a new non-ballast coil and it seams to be fine.. Touch wood!!

cheers for the help!

Mad4mins