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Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:13 pm
by meganwilkinson2008
Hi can anyone help i have recently purchased a pertronix electronic ignition but still have not managed to get it to work.Have fitted it as per instructions and followed the troubleshooting guide but still no joy.sent it back for testing and all is ok with the module.Have even tried a live straight from the battery as stated in instructions but still dead.Put points back in and no problems.Earth wire on base plate is good have given base plate a good clean checked all connections but still no joy.just wondered if anyone else has had the same trouble.Don't know what to try now. thanks
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:19 pm
by panky
You may need to re-set the timing, I had to when I fitted a set of electronic points.
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:20 pm
by tysonn
Just asking the obvious.You are neg earth?
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 7:11 pm
by meganwilkinson2008
Hi yes it is negative earth. I have got a spark tester which i put on the lead to see if there is a spark but every time i fit the elec ignition no spark but when back on points the tester lights up no trouble.will keep trying but its looking like i will have to stick with the points.bit infuriating when in cost £87.
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 7:27 pm
by The vast minority
Honestly, you are better with points, its done all these years so can't be that bad. i can't think of a reason to convert mine, it starts perfectly, runs perfectly and if anything breaks or fails it's fixed in 5 minutes. Send if back and forget it happened at all.
Al
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 8:28 pm
by bmcecosse
Send it back for a refund... Personally I prefer good old points, but I do see many struggling with ignition problems, and the reports of the SimonBBC/Accuspark systems are all very good. For that money you would get a complete new dizzy with electronics already installed - and a new vacuum advance ... I suggest the 45D model. You can then keep the old dizzy complete as a spare - to loan out to others in trouble at the roadside!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electronic-45 ... 1c2ba100d0
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 9:21 pm
by John Naylor
I did as above, not because I was afraid that I wouldn't maintain points properly but just because I replaced an old worn dissy and cap with a brand new one for just over £50! I've more confidence that I'm getting the best timing throughout the rev range and am getting a small improvement in performance.
John
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 9:22 pm
by Oldmogman
I'd concur with Bmcecosse - I found the Simon BBC kit easy to fit and, so far, very reliable - a great relief after the countless duff condensers and rotor arms I'd been dogged with. Everything's hidden under the dizzy cap so the engine bay still looks period, and the affordable price means you can buy a second kit to keep as a spare just in case!
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 11:27 pm
by gtt1951
Sounds like either you have misinterpreted fitting instructions or the kit you purchased (at quite some cost) is faulty.
I have made electronic module conversions to my 1956 SII Traveller (with negative earth conversion and upgraded 1098 engine) using an Accuspark unit - no problems what-so-ever (save an 8deg retard on the dizzy).
I have converted my 918cc side-valve engined 1951 Series MM with a DKY4 dizzy and positive earth, successfully, with a kit from Simon BBC (also had to retard the timing), and am in the process of converting an early model DM2 dizzy on a 1955 803cc positive earth engine to "electronic" from Watford Classic Cars (an Accuspark unit). Maximum price paid for the conversion modules has been under £50.00.
Could be that your car has been "modified", in the past, by a previous owner, who may have botched things up.
Please give engine and car details - any pictures?
Pictures of the engine bay may help (downsize digital pictures to make sure they can be uploaded)
Regards, George.
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 11:36 pm
by bmcecosse
I would never fiddle with a 'kit' from any source - the complete NEW dizzy is the simple answer -just drop it in !! I appreciate of course that may not be possible when working with v old engines.....
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 9:21 pm
by meganwilkinson2008
Hi thanks for all the advice, think i have solved it ,someone had changed the car to negative earth but not changed the wires round on the coil so the live wire was on the neg terminal.I got my kit from the distributor doctor because my uncle had bought the same one for his TR4 and MGA and couldn't speak highly enough of them.Now i've got the wires right will fit it again tomorrow as i ran out of time tonight.will post what happens thanks.
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 11:47 pm
by bmcecosse
There's nothing wrong with Pertronix - I have it on my TR7..... but for ease and value I think the complete new dizzy wins hand down.
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:10 pm
by dalebrignall
ive fitted accuspark system to 2 cars they work fantastically .
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 6:53 pm
by gtt1951
I've just fitted another Accuspark system (+ve earth) to my latest car - please see topic
http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=58362
for step-by-step instructions and pictures.
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 6:29 pm
by seriesmm
Hi All, I am going to fit an electronic ignition system to my Moggie having become fed up with the all too frequent breakdowns due to condenser and rotor arm failures. I would like to know if anyone has advice or recommendations on the reliability of systems available. Cheers, Al D.
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:17 pm
by bmcecosse
It's all been discussed 1000 times -I suggest you use the search function.... Note there is still the same susceptibility to failure with rotor arm/dizzy cap/HT lead failure...... it simply replaces the points and condenser...
Re: Electronic ignition
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 9:50 pm
by Bidz
bmcecosse wrote:It's all been discussed 1000 times -I suggest you use the search function....
There should be a guide, which could be sticky in the Electrical section.