I put the new Bosch blue coil in tonight, and tried to start it up. I must have wired something up wrong. My distributor was smoking a lot, enough that I grabbed the fire extinguisher. Disconnected the wire from the coil to the distributor fast, then watched it for 10 minutes to make sure it wasn't going to start a fire or anything.
Now I'm pretty sure I've destroyed my distributor.
Any thoughts?
New ignition coil = smoking distributor?
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Re: New ignition coil = smoking distributor?
Ok, well that's a clue. The white wire in the picture of my exploded coil was connected to the positive terminal, with the red wire to the distributor. It a fit of cluelessness, I thought I remembered it being hooked up to the Negative terminal with the black wire.
So now my distributor appears to be damaged. Or the electronic ignition.
Frustrated because I was really looking forward to the drive Monday. Any suggestions?
I feel like I'm learning a lot with this car, knowing next to nothing before I got it, but some of these lessons are expensive and frustrating...
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Re: New ignition coil = smoking distributor?
Put points and condenser in the distributor and try again. Maybe Malcolm has a spare you could use.
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Re: New ignition coil = smoking distributor?
X2 on Tanny's suggestion. Double check the wiring and put points in. You've just discovered one of the downsides of electronic ignition. They are unforgiving of wiring or polarity issues.
I have a used Pertronix unit here that I don't need in case you prefer that route.
I have a used Pertronix unit here that I don't need in case you prefer that route.
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Re: New ignition coil = smoking distributor?
I wouldn't really say I have "preference" for anything yet! I'm so far in the learning stage that I don't really know what I prefer!
To be honest, I need to read up on distributors and ignition systems, I don't really even know how they work and what the difference is between the original ones and the one I have! Learning as I go.
Geoff
To be honest, I need to read up on distributors and ignition systems, I don't really even know how they work and what the difference is between the original ones and the one I have! Learning as I go.
Geoff
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Re: New ignition coil = smoking distributor?
Hi Geoff,Fifty Six MGA wrote: To be honest, I need to read up on distributors and ignition systems, I don't really even know how they work and what the difference is between the original ones and the one I have! Learning as I go.
Geoff
Here is a link that explains the ignition system so even I can understand it so you should find it informative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDWGtWmB1D0&NR=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
MossTV also is a good source on how to do things as in this example.
http://www.mossmotors.com/sitegraphics/ ... rical.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hope this helps in some way.
Martin Keller
Ventura, Ca.
Ventura, Ca.
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Re : Ignition Coil & System
It is important to match the primary resitance of the coil , measured between the two low voltage terminals , to the system's needs .
I don't know what electronic system you have but they're *very* sensitive to this , most coils will be either 3 Ohms or 1.3 ~ 1.6 Ohms , the primary difference is the voltage supplied to the coil from the key switch ~
6 ~ 9 volts DC means it's a ballasted system and needs a low resistance coil .
12 volts at the coil's power lead means it's an un ballasted system and needs a 3 Ohm coil .
Pertronix Ignitors are very picky about this and will also blow out the *instant* you reverse the current polarity on them , so far I've not found anyone who'll sell the replacement hall effect generator .
I don't know what electronic system you have but they're *very* sensitive to this , most coils will be either 3 Ohms or 1.3 ~ 1.6 Ohms , the primary difference is the voltage supplied to the coil from the key switch ~
6 ~ 9 volts DC means it's a ballasted system and needs a low resistance coil .
12 volts at the coil's power lead means it's an un ballasted system and needs a 3 Ohm coil .
Pertronix Ignitors are very picky about this and will also blow out the *instant* you reverse the current polarity on them , so far I've not found anyone who'll sell the replacement hall effect generator .
-Nate