Bob,
Many thanks for your advice. It set me off in the right direction. The
problem is now solved. I am pretty sure the problem was in how I set the
points. I didn't originally set the points with the heel of the points on
the high end of the cam. I guess I should have looked at my Haynes manual a
little closer.
In the 10 years I have owned the car I have done work under the cap once,
which is why I thought I should overall the points, rotor, cap etc. (plus a
friendly neighbour - suggested that overhauling everything would result in
smoother running, which now he was right, but at one point I wanted to
strangle him for encouraging me to tinker with something that was working
fairly well to start with).
I now have a better understanding of mechanically and electically what is
going on with your ignition system when you start your car.
I almost gave up, but by adjusting the points correctly (I am assuming that
is what corrected the problem) I got up and running, but very sluggishly (a
eureka moment after a whole weekend of attempting to get the car started).
Some fine-tuning and now it is purring better than before I started. The
only thing is I can tell when I turn the key that ignition switch is on its
last legs after I "monkeyed" around with it. Oh well the car is up and
running and that is what matters.
Thanks Again,
Jim Cullen
1974 spitfire
--- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Harris" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Jim Cullen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 9:49 PM
Subject: Re: Ignition problem solved - now new problem
Jim,
Return to basics.. Your coil fires when the power is stopped to the
coil..Points open. If your coil is good and getting power,it will release
a
spark when the power is interrupted.The points interrupt the ground to the
coil,I have seen where the wire to the points is grounded by being
pinched,insulation worn,or insulator on points broken or wire to the
points
connected incorrectly. If you have power to the coil,and remove the
power,while holding coil wire close to ground (block) you will get a
spark.
I believe this will work by shutting off the key. Do you have a meter, or
test light? you can test your points circuit by disconnecting wire from
coil
to points,there should only be continuity between this wire and ground
when
the points are closed.If you have continuity when the points are open,then
there is another oath to ground...you just have to find where this is.My
suspicion is at the points.double and triple check under the cap. Let me
know what you find.
Good Luck
Bob Harris
P.S. I have also seen a bad condenser.
*** http://www.team.net/the-local ***
Your messages not reaching the list?
Check out http://www.team.net/posting.html
*** unsubscribe/change address requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or try
*** http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool
*** http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
*** Archives at http://www.team.net/archive
*** Edit your replies!
