If it happens again, quick as you can look at the tach and the ignition
warning light before you depress the clutch pedal or knock it out of gear.
If the ignition light is on then you have lost the 12v from the white
circuit (ignition key to ignition relay, warning light and inertia switch).
The tach will probably also be reading zero.
If the ignition light is off but the tach has dropped to zero then you have
lost the ballasted 12v to the coil, or the connection between the coil and
the points, or the points have become shorted out e.g. bad capacitor, i.e.
an LT ignition circuit problem.
If the warning light is off and the tach is registering then the problem is
likely to be in the HT circuit or the fuel supply. The inertia switch
controls the fuel pump and can trip out, but it would not 'repair' itself
just by turning the ignition off and on again.
PaulH.
MG Cars Webring MG Site of the Month - September '99
http://freespace.virgin.net/paul.hunt1/
(or if that URL doesn't work try )
(http://194.168.54.52/paul.hunt1)
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott McKorkle <bmc@aa.net>
To: mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: 15 September 1999 22:37
Subject: It just quit!
>Strange thing this afternoon. I was out for a drive and had done about a
>half hour at average speeds (30-40 mph). I was slowing for a stop light
>and the engine just quit. Not a gradual loss of power, like fuel
>starvation, but just a sudden cessation of power, like someone turned off
>the key. I coasted to a stop and switched on my hazard flashers (meaning
>that electrical was still working), turned off the key and tried starting
>her up. She started immediately and ran perfectly well all way home.
>
>A cursory check at home showed no loose or frayed wires, but I'm sure I
>could have missed something. Does this sound like a failing coil or is
>there something else I should check. The car is a 1978 MGB with points, a
>25D4 distributor and standard coil.
>
>Thanks!
>Scott McKorkle
>1978 MGB
>
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