>Hello All,
> Yesterday (Wed) I was on the road when my Lucas CEI electronic ignition
>failed. I am trying to determine if the stock pick-up is still good, as a
>Crane kit for my distributor (Lucas 45DM4) requires the use of the stock
>pick-up. I don't want to replace the amplifier unit, if the pick-up is
>what went bad. Any help much appreciated!
Vince,
If this is the system with the model with the amplifier mounted on the
inside of right hand inner fender (i.e. not attached to the distributor)
you are probably in luck.
The first thing to do is check continuity on the pickuup coil. Disconnect
the connector on the two wires coming out of the distributor and test
for continuity (and shorts to ground). If you have an open circuit,
you will most likely have to replace the pickup coil. I had a similar
problem on my MGB. One of the wires between the strain relief plug
and the pickup coil broke. Although this looks like a simple fix
with a soldering iron and some electrical tape, the limited space
and flexing which occurs with the vacuum advance caused the wire to
break next to the soldered connection. I ended up ordering a new
pickup coil from Dick Burger (who got it from Moss Motors). The coil
wasn't cheap, but considering the cost of a tow and the inconvenience
of getting stranded, it was worth it.
Incidentally, in 5 years of using the MG as a daily driver, the two
times that I have had to call AAA were both due to a the above problem.
The first time I soldered in a new section of wire. That fix lasted
about a year and a half before the car stranded me on my way home
from work. That's when I decided to do a proper repair and replace
the part.
BTW, Moss does not list the pickup coil in their MGB catalog, but
they do stock it. I can get you the part number if you need it.
Post to me at my aol address.
Good luck,
Peter Schauss
ps4330@okc01.rb.jccbi.gov
pschauss@aol.com
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk II
1980 MGB
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