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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Electronic Ingition query

A few months ago I installed a Powermax electronic ignition - it was easily installed and made a big improvement to the car's running (Sprite Mark 2). I was out in the car yesterday and it ran fine but today it was running really rough - is it possible that it could be the electronic ignition that is the problem? When electronic ignitions go wrong does the car not start at all or can they run rough/misfire? I do have a spare one to instal to check out this week but I would welcome the experiences of others. Thanks. Tim
TJ Prime

Tim,
the electronic ignitor is just one component of the ignition system

sometimes when they are installed insuffient allowance is made for movement and for how delicate the wire to the igniter are so check the igniter installation for scuffing

by all means try swapping over to your spare as this is a no cost option and will also confirm that your spare works

there are many possibilities as to the problem if it's not the igniter - the rotor arm is possibility

but so is a fuel problem, and a timing problem and so on

you need to do a logical step by step diagnastic starting at the basics and decide exactly what isn't working as it should

let us know how you get on
Nigel At

Thanks Nigel. I'll check out the ignitor first (easy done) and work from there. As you say, it could be a number of things. Wouldn't be as much enjoyment if there weren't issues such as this to resolve! I'll let you know how I get on. Tim
TJ Prime

Nigel - I am pretty sure that it was a fuel problem. I have come to the conclusion that my fuel guage is wildly inacccurate and when it shows 1/4 full it is actually quite empty. Fuelled up and after a while the car has been running much better. Fingers crossed. Thanks for your comments. Tim
TJ Prime

Tim, great that the car is going again

loads of threads on here with what to do about fuel gauge problems

sorry but I think the problem may retun, hope I'm wrong, it could have been many things but I don't think the low fuel level will be it as the car should run until the tank is empty

muck somewhere in the fuel system possibly, but possibly still another problem, bad connections or wires - lots of possibilities

carry a spare gallon and let the petrol in the tank run low or out again and see what happens - if anything
Nigel At

The pick up pipe in the fuel tank could be ruptured, mate of me had that last month. There was fuel in the tank, but the pump couldn't suck it up.
Alex G Matla

This thread was discussed between 21/08/2011 and 26/08/2011

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