24 replies to this topic

[panelbeaterpeter]

Hey, I'm in the process of fitting a metro 1275 to me mini, it has an electronic distributor, which I want to use, I figure it will be more reliable than the one on my 998, plus I'm not sure if the one on the 998 would work.. So basically, I'm wondering how to wire it up. I'll be using the metro coil, I just want to know where these three wires go! There's a white cable with a black tracer that splits into two at the end, and a white cable with a yellow tracer. I've done an artistic ( ) illustration. Cheers!

Attached Files

•  electronc_dizzy_wiring.JPG   6.29K   6 downloads

[Chewy]

hey i have just done the conversion myself do u want a copy of the wiring diagram for the metro dizzy if you
do let me know

Thanks Chewy

Attached Files

•  electdizzy.gif   6.47K   89 downloads

[panelbeaterpeter]

Hey thats brilliant thanks alot! so, the white and yellow cable goes to live on the coil and then carries on to the top fuse in the fusebox, and the white and black cable goes to earth on the coil. Is that right?

[Dan]

Ah yes there's that old favourite stupid wiring diagram again. Why exactly do you now have both a ballasted and an unballasted supply feeding your coil?

If you are going to change to unballasted ignition disconnect the pink/white and white/yellow from the original wiring to the coil and insulate the ends, taping the wires securely back to the loom. Then run your new circuit as in the diagram to replace these.
If you are going to retain ballasted ignition leave the pink/white and white/yellow supplying the ballasted coil and run the new circuit as in the diagram but DON'T connect it to the coil, ONLY connect it to the module supply wire from the dizzy. You don't need both systems.

[panelbeaterpeter]

Oh bloody hell electrics confuse my small brain. basically, if I use the metro electronic dizzy coil, where do those wires need to go?

[Dan]

There is some debate as to whether the electronic coil is ballasted. I don't believe it is but various places list ballasted coils as a direct replacement for it. Does the coil have a voltage stamped or written on it at all?

[Leonard]

i bought an elctronic ignition coil and it runs ok with the ballasted voltage, if that helps

[panelbeaterpeter]

There is some debate as to whether the electronic coil is ballasted. I don't believe it is but various places list ballasted coils as a direct replacement for it. Does the coil have a voltage stamped or written on it at all?

Yeah it's a 12v. I'm not sure how to tell if it's ballasted or not. It's got a metal cylinder wired from it attached to the mounting bracket.. I think this means its ballasted? It's the original coil that was on the metro, and the engine was running perfect prior to being stripped.

[Chewy]

THAT WIRING DIAGRAM AINT STUPID IT WORKS OK

[Dan]

Ok, perhaps not stupid but certainly ridiculous. The diagram has been floating about for a while since it appeared in a mag or somewhere and is pretty bad practice as it leaves old unused wiring in place. Yes it will leave the ignition working but it makes the wiring a mess.

Yeah it's a 12v. I'm not sure how to tell if it's ballasted or not

You need to understand that it cannot be both 12v and ballasted, it is either one or the other. The cylinder on the coil bracket is a supression cap not a ballast. Does it say 12v on it or does it say ballasted on it? I'm pretty sure I know what it is but I am not certain.

[icklemini]

i use the OEM coil for the electronic ignition stuff - (Part number GCL143 (LUCAS DLB 198 and the duleclier coil GCL 143)), non resistor plugs with a 0.035 gap, and a full fat 12v supply.

i also can produce the leads that join the coil to the dizzy with the correct plug on the end

TTFN,
Dave

[Dan]

That's the real question here Dave. I use the OE coil too, the GCL143 as it's the only one that's worth using really and I always set it up 12v also but all the coils that are listed as a direct replacement for it are ballasted. How is it fitted in the Metro? Ballasted or 12v?

[Silicon Skum]

That's the real question here Dave. I use the OE coil too, the GCL143 as it's the only one that's worth using really and I always set it up 12v also but all the coils that are listed as a direct replacement for it are ballasted. How is it fitted in the Metro? Ballasted or 12v?

OK this might help clear things:

In my rover cooper the engine is basically an MG unit with a *slightly* diferent electronic dizzy to that of the MG but works just the same way. The coil for this is a duleclier 12V one (has 12V written on the cap), BUT I belive the coil is actually *internaly ballasted* there for it would make sense that you could also use a ballasted coil as a direct replacement if using the balast wire.

By internally balasted, I mean the coil is hooked up as a standard 12V coil with a 12v feed and no ballast resistor. The coil has a ballast resistor inside the can that drops the voltage to the usual balasted voltage of ~9V.

As far as I can tell, earlier MG lumps used a balasted system, later ones I *susspect* used the 12v internaly balasted coil which gives the same effect. I have no idea why internaly balasted coils were used over the balasted system - maybe Rover cost cutting??
So, if the coil is labled as a 12V coil on the MG lump, then it should be hooked up to a straight 12v source, if NOT then it should be wired up using the balast resistor.

SS

[Dan]

Yes exactly but in either case the module on the dizzy needs 12v and not a ballasted supply.

[icklemini]

How is it fitted in the Metro? Ballasted or 12v?

In the metro its 12v (where the metro is using the ignition module on the side of the distributor)

Yes exactly but in either case the module on the dizzy needs 12v and not a ballasted supply.

Concur!

ttfn,
Dave