Ignition Coil question

[thesmithsUK]

Hi there,

Found a loose wire whilst changing my oil this afternoon. Then noticed that one of the terminals on my Lucas ignition coil (DLB 101) has no wire connected to it. Shall I reunite them? Or am I making a false assumption?

Any advice appreciated…[frame][/frame]

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Looks like there are 2 already on the coil, is it green? There is a green often not connected thats for an oil filter blocked warning light thats often not fitted.

[thesmithsUK]

Yes, it's green.

No action required? (My kind of fix!)

[bmcecosse]

DO NOT connect to the coil.... If you can't find a home for it - insulate it and tuck it away safely.

[thesmithsUK]

Many thanks bmcecosse. WIll do exactly as you suggest!

[bmcecosse]

Does the oil pressure light work ?

[thesmithsUK]

Hmm - I think so but will check tomorrow morning...

[whyperion]

Funny
I got one of those 'spare' leads too, always was connected to the coil so far as I can see. ( will wander around engine bay double checking spade terminals.

[thesmithsUK]

Yes, the Ign and Oil Pressure lights both come on when I turn the key.

[bmcecosse]

And hopefully go out when you start the engine... So the spare may be for the 'filter blocked' warning light... have a look on top of the filter casing - is there a Lucar terminal there ?

[alexmcguffie]

If anyone finds that green wire connected to the coil, don't worry, it won't have done any harm. Obviously disconnect it from the coil as it shouldn't be there.

[panky]

Where does the wiring end up? is it just tucked behind the dash or there a position for the warning light already there.

[alexmcguffie]

It should go to one of the two amber lights on the speedo. One side of the light is connected to +V and the other side is switched to ground by the switch that may or may not be within the oil filter housing. So connecting both sides of a bulb to +V won't do any harm but that green wire still shouldn't be connected the the coil.

[panky]

So to test if there is a bulb fitted you just ground the green wire I guess. There is a terminal on Ted's oil filter housing, I might have a go tomorrow

[bmcecosse]

It would however act as a handy 'fuse blown' warning !!

[alexmcguffie]

Hi Panky,

Yes, grounding it would test it.

Also whether it was connected to the filet or the coil it wouldn't blow a fuse even though the lamp is taken from a fused supply.

[bmcecosse]

You are missing the point Alex - connected to the coil it will back-feed 'unfused' 12 volts to the 'fused' circuit. If that fuse then blows for some reason, the orange light will illuminate as the unfused circuit earths back through the (now dead) fused circuits.

[alexmcguffie]

I'm not missing the point.

a) It shouldn't be connected the the coil - whatever!
b) If it was and the fuse blew then the lamp would also blow - its rated at much less than 35A.

[bmcecosse]

We all know it shouldn't be connected to the coil (it amazes me that anyone would 'find' a loose wire and just gleefully connect it to the coil, without knowing what it is... ) .....the point was just raised as a matter of interest... It WON'T blow - it has a v high resistance which limits the current - and will simply glow!! Better connected to the filter as designed...to tell when the filter is blocked. Incidentally - has anyone ever had this light come on to tell tales on the filter ??

[MarkyB]

it amazes me that anyone would 'find' a loose wire and just gleefully connect it to the coil

The coil is very visible and has unused spade terminals on it.
Where else would it go if you didn't know better?