Hey all, over the last few months i have been getting my clubbie together. yesterday, finally got to the stage of trying to fire her up. But could not get a spark. Plugs, points, condenser and coil new. Dosent matter what i try, could not get a spark! Anyone have any suggestions??

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I'm guaranteed to break something every time, but there's nothing like getting under the bonnet and having a go!

Do u have 12v at the coil? Meausured with a multimeter.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

After checking 12v at coil try the timing if you haven't already i have had 12v at coil and the same problem before and my timing was out. Quick fix realy and ihope its the same for you.

Yep, had 12V at the coil with the multimeter. Cant get a spark directly of the coil plug to the block. Timing is all dead on as far as we can tell at this stage.


Can anyone tell me what the condenser actualy does?

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I'm guaranteed to break something every time, but there's nothing like getting under the bonnet and having a go!

Check th HT leads with Om's TO make sure they are not broekn.

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Ian - My Ve SSV Ute - Looking for a Mini

Yep, did that, spent 5 hours cheking everything. Still cant get a spark.

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I'm guaranteed to break something every time, but there's nothing like getting under the bonnet and having a go!

On mine the rubber grommets on the points where the wires connect were worn and that caused me no spark, it created a kill switch, check it goes, rubber grommet, black wire condenser wire, point spring then another rubber grommet.

If that confused you take a picture

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Ian - My Ve SSV Ute - Looking for a Mini

This might sound really obvious, but get someone to help with the checking, to make sure all wires in right spot. Get one person to read out what witre should ber connected where and get the other person (who did not wire it up!!!!) to confirm it is correct.

THIS will eliminate your brain auto-filling the answers for you, and is a valuable diagnostic tool!!

Next stage is to check the coil, simply switch in another one, see if it sparks to the top of the block.

The fact that there is no spark from the coil suggests the problem lies with it. (not the dizzy, leads etc)

Either wired in the wrong way around, or accessories connected to the wrong side (tacho connected to positive for example) and earthing it out before it can make a sparky spark!

So

1) Double check wiring is correct - Ignition switched power to the positive, negative side connected to the low tension terminal on the dizzy.

Try to get spark

2) Disconnect all unnecessary accessories.

Try to get spark

3) Swap in a different coil

Try to get spark

Cheers
Matt

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68 Deluxe.... it's shiny..... I like shiny!!

Thats the funny thing with the condenser. I put the multimeter on it and measured eath on both sides. The screw that holds the coil earth, condenser and points spring definintley is earthed. Is that where i am going wrong?

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I'm guaranteed to break something every time, but there's nothing like getting under the bonnet and having a go!

Have you checked the coil wiring?

Do you have anything else attached to the coil?

If you get no spark from the coil HT lead, then there IS a problem with either the coil or the wiring to the coil as the dizzy including condenser is irrelevant until after the spark goes to the dizzy via the HT lead.

So, there may be an issue with the condenser, BUT, there is another issue first (if I understand you correct)

Cheers
matt

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68 Deluxe.... it's shiny..... I like shiny!!

I totaly agree with you. But to complete the circut the ground from the coil (positive is working correctly with full 12V) must make the correct circut. Thus i believe this is where the dizzy would come into the problem.

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I'm guaranteed to break something every time, but there's nothing like getting under the bonnet and having a go!

Hmmm, That does make sense (I think).

I presume from your answer that you have no other connections to the coil and it is wired in correctly?

Do you have the old condensor or coil? Maybe swap in one at a time to see if that makes any change?

I thought the screw that holds it in was meant to earth the condensor but hey, we're stretching the limits of my auto electrical knowledge here!

Good luck!
Matt

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68 Deluxe.... it's shiny..... I like shiny!!

Check the points:
- make sure they are opening as you turn the motor
- if there is no low voltage spark from the points as they open, then your problem is
coil/points (or the wiring in between)
- if there is a spark at the points, timing is out (perhaps 180 degrees. I've done that)

Happy hunting...

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Too many cars, and too little time.

There is an insulating washer in the distributor setup - used to stuff me up every time I changed points or capacitor. If the instalation is round the wrong way - no spark

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

I had exactly the same thing happen to me Wombat. Changed the points & NOTHIN'. My mechanic dropped through on his way home to check it out for me and nearly died laughing as he removed the washer & threw it over his shoulder.

Only cost me a VB, but I had spent all afternoon trying to find the problem.

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Two doors / four seats
Four doors / two seats