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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Update & next query!

Hi all,
my resto is coming on well, outer sill is done & being flatted tonight & rear drum brakes have been eased off( mainly by being taken off with a prybar and slung in the bin!)
Next query - the car turns over well but I think the spark isnt going to the plugs- I get varying results with my spark plug lamps. OK - Replace coil, rotor arm & points , dizzy cap & leads with AccuSpark - good bad or indifferent idea?
Is there a better system out there ?
I want to sort the ignition out one time & then basically forget all about it.
Thanks all
Cheers
colin
c frowen

If you have a problem, it is best to identify the cause, rather than throwing lots of parts at it.
Dave O'Neill 2

I agree with Dave. Begin with what you have, and go right back to basics.

You can do it all without aids.

Make sure the low tension is all connected properly.

Make sure the HT is all decently connected.

Pull all the plugs and insert them one at a time into the HT caps.

If you have a button on the solenoid, turn on the ignition, lay the screwed end of the plug that's in the cap, against the head/earth. Spin the engine. Any spark? Move on to next plug and cap.

If no button on solenoid get assistant to turn key.

If no spark at all. Pull dis cap off. Set engine so that points are closed. Turn on ignition. use thin screw driver or simililar to open points a fraction. Do you get a spark at the points?

take it from there, or report back. :)
Lawrence Slater

Ignition problem are very easy to resolve and do not need new parts throwing at the problem as described many times in the archives.

Lets assume for a moment that the high tension part of the circuit is fine (That is the coil, plugs, HT leads, and dissy cap.

If we assume that for one moment we simply need to test the low tension side. That is the points and condenser.

Simply remove the dissy cap and turn the engine over until the points are closed. Now put the ignition on and flick open and closed the points with a screw driver ensuring the screw driver blade does not make contact with anything but the points (not earth)

Whilst doing this the points when opening should spark (best done at night or in a garage for better view.

If they do not spark as described it is likely you have installed them incorrectly. If you have normally the post where the points are anchored and the connections are made should have a plastic washer that prevents the points from earthing and should also ensure the connections do not earth to the post or indeed earth to the post due to the retaining nut touching them directly and not insulated by the plastic washer.

If I had a quid for everytime I have rectified that problem for poor souls I would probably have 20 quid!!
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

This thread was discussed on 27/10/2011

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