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" <gharris@rochester.rr.com>
To: "Jim Cullen" <ccullen16@cogeco.ca>
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.
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