Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. Went out last night to work
on the car and it started up on the first crank. (Isn't that always the
way?) Checked everything I could with a running engine. But when it
dies again, I want to be prepared. Does any of this change when you've
converted to negative ground? Rather not electrocute myself. Thanks in
advance,
Joseph
67 Roadster
On Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at 08:21 AM, ckotting@wideopenwest.com
wrote:
> Joseph -
>
> It sounds like a coil to me, but here's a simple check.
> Next time it dies or won't start, unhook the negative lead
> from the coil and hook a test lamp between it and + (you can
> use any fuesebox terminal that has power with the key on).
>
> Crank it over.
>
> If the test lamp flashes, the problem is at the coil end of
> things. If the test lamp either stays on all the time or
> stays off all the time, the problem is in the distributor
> (points, condenser, or internal leads).
>
> If the test lamp blinks, move the + lead from the source you
> were using to the + terminal on the coil (which you have
> thus far left alone). Crank it over again. If the test
> lamp blinks, it's probably the coil. If the test lamp stays
> dark, the coil isn't getting power from the ignition switch.
> Start tracing back to see if it's a break in the wiring or
> a bum ignition switch.
>
> Hope that helps...
>
> Chris K.
>
> Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 21:33:16 -0400
> From: Joseph Cianciotti <jmc987@earthlink.net>
> Subject: Car won't start, dies, or runs fine (Please help)
>
> Some days my car starts and runs fine.
>
> Some days it starts and then dies suddenly, like someone
> just pulled
> the plug. And then won't restart.
>
> And some days the car won't start at all. The fuel pump
> clicks away,
> fuel fills the (clear) filter, the engine cranks, but just
> refuses to
> start. There's the smell of gasoline from the exhaust. So
> fuel's
> getting in there, it's just not burning.
>
> I pulled and reattached the leads to the coil. Then it
> started. It
> started again the next morning. But wouldn't start in the
> afternoon. So
> I checked the lead from the coil to the distributor, and
> there didn't
> appear to be a spark. My guess is the coil is on its way
> out. (Do they
> go bad?) Any other ideas before I start replacing things?
>
> I've got a Petronix electronic ignition, fairly new leads
> and plugs,
> and the distributor cap and rotor look good (no cracks or
> evidence of
> arcing).
>
> Please help. My wife's is getting tired of having to share a
> car.
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Joseph
> 67 MGB Roadster
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