Intermittent Spark Business - SORTED!!!!!!!

a15htn

a15htn

New Member
Everyone,

Please solve a puzzle for me? Got in the car today with repaired exhaust, fabulous! Shot off down the road, smashing! After about 2 miles, doing about 70(++) :LOL: and suddenly he died, ignition lights on, no engine.
Pulled over checked fuel pump bowl -full- checked float -full. Checked points openint- fine - not arcing, checked spark at no4 and the bugger fired up on 3 and sat there laughing at me on 3 cylinders!!
Set off again, another mile or so, dead!
Checked spark from coil - nothing - wiggled everything, check again - nothing - put it all back together and he fired up :shock: then died by the time I shut the bonnet :oops:
Dismantle it all again, put it back together again, started him up and he's been fantastic ever since for another 50ish miles!!!!!!!!!!!

The only thing I did was pull off the coil lead, wiggle stuff, crank him over and reassembled.

So....... What on earth is going on????
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

Failing coils often go intermittent when hot... Other wise I guess low tension wiring fault?

Rich.
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

I agree with Rich, I've had a faulty LT lead from dizzy to coil, I only spotted it when I could see it arching inside the insulation in the dark.
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

Hmmmmmm, well the coil was replaced on the last bout of silliness.... When it wouldn't spark, ever.

However a new coil lead could be worth a try.
Can someone recommend a supplier of GOOD quality, correct, ignition parts? Namely:
Points
Condenser
Rotor
Cap
Plugs
Leads
I've a long trip coming up so want to be sure I have good kit fitted.

Thinking about it long term, what does the panel recommend for going the electronic route?

Thanks
Jim
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

In terms of going electronic, I say do it.

However... I have a long held belief that you should find the original problem first (not necessarily fix it, but at least be sure what it was) before you upgrade something.

As for a source of good quality ignition parts, I'm afraid I'm not sure there is one any more.
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

Oh, and as well as being let down by rotor arms and dizzy caps, I've also been let down by brand new HT leads as well recently.
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

I would definatly go the electronic route, no maintenance required, hotter spark, easier starting, better fuel consumption.

Graeme
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

ghce said:
I would definatly go the electronic route, no maintenance required, hotter spark, easier starting, better fuel consumption.

Graeme
Click to expand...


That's that decided then...... Its nearly my birthday, so....... Makes, types and suppliers of said gadget would be really helpful

Ta!!!

J
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

I went electronic after about a week of getting the car, so cant really give comparison with points. Looked at lumenition and a couple of others but got mine from Simon bbc ( http://www.simonbbc.com/) not had any problems, starts first time on the button and not expensive :D Give him a ring a really helpfull guy
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

happy days said:
I went electronic after about a week of getting the car, so cant really give comparison with points. Looked at lumenition and a couple of others but got mine from Simon bbc ( http://www.simonbbc.com/) not had any problems, starts first time on the button and not expensive :D Give him a ring a really helpfull guy
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that....... He's put a new electronic 25d4, rotor, cap & timming light in the post today....... All for the same money as some people were after for a std distributor!

I'd still love to know why I need the adjustment that the 25d4 has, when cars with 45d4's don't??
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

The only thing I found out after it was installed was not to leave the ignition on without starting the car as the module does'nt like it and burns out. Never done that to test if it does though
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

OK, so you've ordered the new distributor. I think that will solve the original problem - as I'd put money on it being the condensor - having had a very similar fault that took a rolling road to identify! You have one more component to replace before you have the full set - namely the ignition (HT) leads. Unless anyone has now got any service experience of any others, I would always go for Magnecors. They cost a kings ransom in comparison to anybody elses, but you really do get what you pay for. They certainly eliminate misfires on the V8 at a stroke! There's usually plenty on Ebay for the 4 culinder, otherwise give us another shout and I'll sort you a link.

Chris
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!!

I had a very slight misfire at high revs , a few things were done all at once timing set again, maybe or leads fitted, new rotor arm and misfire had gone, runs sweet now. Wish I had replaced things 1 by 1 to see what was causing it but it's gone and with the magnecor leads I can forget about them now.
 
Re: Intermittent Spark Business!! SORTED!!!!!!!

Well,

The new, correct, distributor, electronic module, rotor & cap arrived today with timing light and a handy keyring!

Removed all old kit..... cleaned & painted clamp, fitted new unit - fired up like it had a stuck valve and wouldn't rev :roll:

Tweaked the dizzy round a bit.... better! Tweaked it a bit more.... lovely..... put the timing light on it.... sitting cheerfully burbling at 6deg..... if I drop it to the 4deg it should be at the idle gets a little lumpy, so back up to 6 we go for now.

Went for a run, smoother take off, more eager to rev and actually pulls quite well in 4th from 25/30mph....... no pinking...... he's even got the guts to pull out and overtake someone at 75 8)
Although I did have to pump the tyres up, as now the car takes off properly (not like an asthmatic pensioner) I could feel that they were soft on the front :oops:

That has to be a result for me and the Lemon :mrgreen: Big thanks to Harvey for all his advice and a smaller thanks to Simonbbc (I had to pay him :LOL: )

I've kept the fully built up 45d4 in the boot, as a backup, in case the ignition unit dies - until I can get some spare points etc - although its probably quicker to swap the dizzy over and re-time it than put points and everything in the 25d4!!!!!!!

Cheers all,
 
takes mins to fit points etc :LOL: glad you got it sorted mate. Should come to some of the p6ers events? Not far for ya mate.
 
herts2000 said:
takes mins to fit points etc :LOL: glad you got it sorted mate. Should come to some of the p6ers events? Not far for ya mate.
Click to expand...

I think we could give that a go...... is there a diary of events enywhere?
 
there are in the events section ajcb is the events co-ordinator for the p6ers and if you pm him he will happily email you all the up coming events..
Dave
 
be nice to look around lemmy ;-) and me you and ajcb could park in the order red white and blue at the shows :)
 
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