12 replies to this topic

[sam138]

I’ve changed to an electronic distributor and now need to change my coil as pictured below I understand I have a ballast system on my 1992 mini.

Can I simply run a 12v switch live supply from the fuse box ? If so does the pink wire already suppling the coil connect to the fuse box ? if so can I swap this over for a new cable to make the pink wire redundant ?

As you can see my fuse box is pretty full.

 9EC7FD07-7C40-4C27-9552-C68CA1EAC2CC.jpeg   99.84K   2 downloads

 76EEBECD-0804-48A2-A31A-07C9CBD166C9.jpeg   128.05K   1 downloads

 9275211E-2F30-4610-A8BA-FB779933E6C0.jpeg   49.77K   1 downloads

Edited by sam138, 09 May 2021 - 12:52 PM.

[dyshipfakta]

Yes you can

[KTS]

There's a thread in the electrical FAQ section that covers this - have a read through it to familiarise yourself with what needs to change

 

https://www.theminif...d-12v-ignition/

[sam138]

Thank you that thread makes it simple, can anyone clarify what amp cable to use for the 12v supply ? I’ve got some 8amp and 17amp red power cable.

[KTS]

8amp should be OK, but check the current draw for the coil you're using to make sure

[cal844]

8 amp should be fine, the fuse box end connection is under the loom tape near the fuse box.

[sam138]

Thanks, is the fuse box connection not the top left on fuse box as pictured ( white cable ) ?

[cal844]

Thanks, is the fuse box connection not the top left on fuse box as pictured ( white cable ) ?

The joint is the white wire with a crimp connection that will be ruined if you remove the pink wire but all I do is remake the connection with a piggyback spade connector

[sam138]

Sorry forgive me but can’t I just remove the white spade connector ( top left on fuse box as per the forum thread) and run a new cable to the coil ? Making the old pink coil wiring redundant and tape this up.

Taken from the linked thread KTS kindly added.

Fuse one is the normal switched supply from the coil, make a new white feed wire ( SWG 12/14) and connect to fuse one where the original white fed the resister white/pink

Edited by sam138, 09 May 2021 - 04:50 PM.

[KTS]

the white wire on fuse one is actually the switched live supply from the ignition switch

 

What Cal is pointing out is that the ballast resistor connection is spliced onto the white wire before it reaches the fusebox

 

on older cars the supply to the coil is crimped to the spade connector at the fuse box so there's two white wires on the spade connector, and just to confuse us, some  wiring diagrams still show that is where the ballast resistor connects to the switched live supply.

[cal844]

the white wire on fuse one is actually the switched live supply from the ignition switch

What Cal is pointing out is that the ballast resistor connection is spliced onto the white wire before it reaches the fusebox

on older cars the supply to the coil is crimped to the spade connector at the fuse box so there's two white wires on the spade connector, and just to confuse us, some wiring diagrams still show that is where the ballast resistor connects to the switched live supply.

Thanks for clarifying mate!

Yes, wiring diagrams are confusing, even BL workshop manuals. I'm pretty good at reading them too 😂😁

Leaving the ballast resistor wire in place(and taping the coil end) will work perfectly fine, however if there is a fault the loom will need fairly extensive (but easy for someone with basic wiring tools) rewiring, therefore the advice is to completely remove the ballast wire from the loom and retape accordingly.

Hope this helps

Cal

Edited by cal844, 09 May 2021 - 08:33 PM.

[sam138]

Thanks, so as I understand basically need to strip the tape back around the white wire near the fuse box until I find the crimp connection and remove the pink wire and use a piggy back connection and add a 12v supply to this and run to coil. Keeping the original spade connection to the fuse box in place. Dispose of the solenoid connection to coil + and do I get rid of the yellow and black feed to negative side of coil ?

Edited by sam138, 09 May 2021 - 09:28 PM.

[KTS]

not sure about yellow and black to coil negative - are you sure that's not white/black ?  if so, that should be kept as it should be the link to the distributor module (..or tacho feed)

 

with regard to replacing the existing ballast wire; yes, that sounds correct, but bear in mind if you are going to remove the pink/white wire you'll need to remove the loom wrapping to get it out, and then rewrap the loom again afterwards (..with the new wire in place)