4 replies to this topic

[MMM1965]

Hi, hope someone can help, my mk1 mini positive earth started mis firing, i took distributor cap off (points ignition) cleaned rotor arm and cap terminals, replaced and ever since i have no spark. Checked for spark at end of ht lead from coil, nothing there. I have 12v going to - terminal on coil from ign switch and 12v at + terminal. As soon as I connect wire that goes to distributor to coil, voltage at + terminal drops to zero, doesnt make any difference if points are open or closed. I have replaced points and condenser, no difference. Can anyone point me in right direction here please or have a guide how to fault the ignition system please? Many thanks

[sonscar]

You must have disturbed some wiring or the points inside the dissy.Look for bare/trapped wires and the insulators at the points fixing.the condenser could be short circuit,disconnect it and try again.Do not leave it turned on for very long as the coil will overheat in this condition.Good faulting,Steve..

[richmondclassicsnorthwales]

There is a low tension lead in / on the distributor. It is about 2 inches long and braided. It runs from a white sliding contact on the side of the distributor. This in turn connects to the earth contact from the loom

 

It has a connector on one end to screw to the baseplate of the dizzy. These leads can fail. This can cause the car not to start

 

Just an idea for the pot as this happened to me back in 1984

[gazza82]

Just an idea for the pot as this happened to me back in 1984

And me in 70s .. on a narrow twisty road on a hill ... not the best place to try and bodge a new wire!

[Trav.al.er]

Did you fix this? Sounds like you've put the wire from the coil to the points above the insulator instead of between the insulator and spring blade. It's by passing the points and permanently earthed. You should get power at the points side of the coil when the points are open, and not when they're closed.