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Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 6:02 pm
by Alec
Hello Ampwhu,
I wish you the best of luck.
I had electronic ignition for 'improved reliability'. It ran for a while then failed and my wife had to be brought back on a tow truck. I took it back and got a replacement. When that failed also, I didn't bother complaining again, I just binned it. I've stuck to points ever since.
Alec
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 6:32 pm
by ampwhu
Alec wrote:Hello Ampwhu,
I wish you the best of luck.
I had electronic ignition for 'improved reliability'. It ran for a while then failed and my wife had to be brought back on a tow truck. I took it back and got a replacement. When that failed also, I didn't bother complaining again, I just binned it. I've stuck to points ever since.
Alec
we'll see then. all those people can't be wrong can they?
anything beats the changing of points every time, or the condensor or the wire.fiddling about with silly feeler gauges etc..
thing i love about this site the best, is the negative reply's everytime someone ask's about something non standard on the morris minor. everytime someone wants to try something different, change a standard part for a better part, or a simple upgrade of some sort, you get a negative response telling you not to do it. it's not the 1st time and certainly won't be the last i suspect. i also don't even own a minor either. great eh!
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 7:24 pm
by Alec
Hello Ampwhu,
the opinions are peoples views and if they differ then that gives a balance. Surely that is better so that you may make up your own mind what suits you. You can't have too much information in my view.
I'm not against improvements, my wife's Traveller has a 1275 engine, disc brakes, four speed with overdrive, heated rear screens etc.
As I said good luck.
Alec
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 7:57 pm
by ampwhu
Alec wrote:Hello Ampwhu,
the opinions are peoples views and if they differ then that gives a balance. Surely that is better so that you may make up your own mind what suits you. You can't have too much information in my view.
I'm not against improvements, my wife's Traveller has a 1275 engine, disc brakes, four speed with overdrive, heated rear screens etc.
As I said good luck.
Alec
i value your opinion as i sure you value others. i found this site and decide to ask questions here as minor owners are, in the whole, very knowledgeable on their vehicle's as well as other A series engine's cars.
but on more than 1 occasion, i get the impression that any sort of upgrade is strongly disagreed. it may not be the case, but it's what i believe. surely the plus side is someone is taking the time and commitment to keep an old car on the road for pleasure and enjoyment, be it in standard form or modified? i am personally against standard vehicles. they aren't up to modern standard's in my eyes. but that doesn't mean i am correct though. modifying is a better option in my view and providing you don't force your opinions or views upon someone else and your happy doing what ever you want to your car, then support should be given in what ever you decide to do.
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 8:47 pm
by faversham999
I was against electronic Ingition after 2 types failed 123 and luminark that was a few years ago . I have now fitted Simonbbc Iginiton and its so cheap that I carry a spare .Also the fitting is so simple, so thing do change and improve. I am thinking of gettin rid of my outside loo as well, winter is on the way. ( I also carry spare points and condenser)
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 9:24 pm
by bmcecosse
I'm all for change - where there is a good reason to change! My engine/brakes/wheels/suspension/rear axle ratio are all non standard. But be assured my ignition is by good old points - which I can repair if I need to - but so far have been deadly reliable - even on Friday 13th. Oh - and my dizzy is non-standard too - with modified advance curve - just don't see any advantage in 'electronic ignition' for a simple wee engine like the A series. Don't get me wrong - I would love to build and fit the mappable Megajolt ignition - which eliminates the dizzy altogether - now THAT is proper electronic ignition which would be well worth having - alas I don't have the necessary electronic skills and it's not sold as a bolt on kit - as far as I know ?
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:14 pm
by Jefftav
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:21 pm
by bmcecosse
Well found Jeff! But - gulp - look at the cost............ That would wipe out my classic car budget for the next 3 years!
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:31 pm
by Jefftav
I thought about it until MrsJT said I didn't really need it - she is more of an authority on engine tuning than anyone else I know
Practical Classics fitted one of these to an Austin can't remember the model but it was an a series engine and the power gains were not that good (given the cost) although I think they reckoned mpg was better. I don't have the article now but I think Prac Performance Car started to install one but I haven't seen it finished yet.
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:43 pm
by bmcecosse
The high power Mini lads love it - say it 'tames' a wild cam at low revs and makes for v tractable engine yet still lots of power. Only small snag I know of is that it doesn't (yet) include a knock sensor - which would give optimum timing settings, as any modern engine has.
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 4:22 pm
by ampwhu
tried this today. fitted it as said. fitted the black disc and then the rotor arm. cap fitted on fine. all the leads on firmly. then the red wire to the + and the blue to the -.
fired the car up and .................... nothing. it wouldn't start.
there are 3 white wires that come from the loom. 2 go to the coil. the other goes to the side of the dizzy. where does this wire go when you fit the electronic module? it can't just 'hang there'????
i'm stuck
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:14 pm
by Alec
Hello Ampwhu,
is there no instructions or diagram with this device?
Just going from your post, you say three white wires, are they just white or is there a tracer colour also.
If they are just white, they will go to the +Ve of the coil (White is feed from the ignition switch and also feeds the fuel pump). With points there is a white\black wire which then goes to the -ve of the coil. Your electronic device seems to need a 12V supply, red and blue, but it must also have an out put when the trigger fires which should go to the -ve of the coil, i.e. the ignition module should have three connections?
Do you have any pictures of this set up?
Alec
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:17 pm
by Jefftav
Is the starter turning the engine and do you have a spark to the plugs? Are you sure this extra (3rd wire) hasn't been pulled off the coil by accident. The electronic kit I have only has two wires (red & blue) to the coil.
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:40 pm
by ampwhu
Jefftav wrote:Is the starter turning the engine and do you have a spark to the plugs? Are you sure this extra (3rd wire) hasn't been pulled off the coil by accident. The electronic kit I have only has two wires (red & blue) to the coil.
my kit has 2 wires, a red and blue. but if your removing points etc, then there's a white wire that comes from the loom and fits the plastic block in the side of the dizzy. it has nothing to connect to. what happens to it?
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:48 pm
by ampwhu
Alec wrote:Hello Ampwhu,
is there no instructions or diagram with this device?
Just going from your post, you say three white wires, are they just white or is there a tracer colour also.
If they are just white, they will go to the +Ve of the coil (White is feed from the ignition switch and also feeds the fuel pump). With points there is a white\black wire which then goes to the -ve of the coil. Your electronic device seems to need a 12V supply, red and blue, but it must also have an out put when the trigger fires which should go to the -ve of the coil, i.e. the ignition module should have three connections?
Do you have any pictures of this set up?
Alec
only minimal instructions. see the pics at the start of the thread.
i really want to fit this, but am losing my patience with it.
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 6:29 pm
by Jefftav
What was the extra wire connected too before you replaced the points?
You should maybe contact the supplier of the kit but do the basic checks of spark to plugs and static timing is OK, plug leads on the correct way round.
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 6:31 pm
by ampwhu
i replaced the dizzy with new points and condensor. the car ran fine.
the problem is the module and how it's connected. everyone who says it's easy........ i do love it when people say "it's easy". well it certainly isn't.
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 6:57 pm
by dalebrignall
on my system i have the white lead connected to the coil as well or the car does not run
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 7:01 pm
by Jefftav
Well you have proved the dizzy works but what is this extra wire connected to now and why can't it connect back to the same place when you put on the electronic ignition?
I remember recently hearing of someone getting a faulty electronic unit which was replaced and worked ok after this.
Re: electronic ignition
Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2010 7:08 pm
by ampwhu
Jefftav wrote:Well you have proved the dizzy works but what is this extra wire connected to now and why can't it connect back to the same place when you put on the electronic ignition?
I remember recently hearing of someone getting a faulty electronic unit which was replaced and worked ok after this.
the wire connects to the plastic arched shape block on the side of the dizzy. the blue replacement block (see pics at beginning of the thread) doesn't take it. there's nowhere for it to plug into.