Hello..... Since the motors been back in, I have been starting it on a weekly basis to keeps fluids moving etc... Since I went to away for a bit he didnt get started for about three weeks - I dunno if this is the root of the problem, but a bit of info anyway...
First thought the battery was a bit flat because it will crank just fine but wont kick over
Recharged the battery so its not that now... still wont start so the next logical answer was a squirt of oxy start into the carby... still wont start... now it seems as though it may be a spark fault? Couldnt get a spark from the plugs... and there is a mystery loose wire that comes out of something that sits right in between the alternator and the coil, up against the block, and that wire is not connected to anything. Meanwhile, there is only one wire attached to the top of the coil - is that correct? Where should the loose wire go and is it the possible cause of the problem? Taking into account that nothing in the engine bay has been touched since last time when he started fine. (and yes, there is petrol in it!) Any help would be very much appreciated....

Thanx.

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Size DOES Matter!!!

You need two wires on the coil. I would guess that the spare wire is off the coil. (did you knock it off when checking the oil?)

We are probably going to need more info than that. this loose wire that you are talking of, does it come from the dizzy?

So the starter motor turns, but it just wont fire?

Check that there is spark at the leads. Get someone to try and start it while you hold one of the leads against the the metal of the block and see if there is some spark jumping across.

Ryan

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Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

No... haven't needed to check the oil... it doesnt even have a second tab.... I mean it could have snapped off but I dont know how, as it does have plate under the nut where on the other side it is an L shape to accomodate the connection of the wire (again, the wire doesnt even have a connection on it just a frayed end!) weird...

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Size DOES Matter!!!

Any chance of a pic of the offending parts? They speak 1000 words....

What colour is the wire? If it is white or white with a black stripe it could be off the coil.

Ryan - the wire is not coming from the dizzy - Its coming from the other side of the coil towards the alternator... dunno what it is but had two others coming out of it that went to the alternator, and one that went to the coil and the loose one. they are black wires.

My other half tested for spark from the lead with a screwdriver and didnt get anything...

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Size DOES Matter!!!

Ok, what colour is the wire that goes into the distributor?

(click on the image to see full size)
Sorry bad quality but you can see what im talkin bout now, I hope. Thanx so much for your help so far.

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Size DOES Matter!!!

can't see anything in that picture!

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

is the wire missing from the positive side of the coil or negative side? if you look at the top of the coil you will see the "signs" for both next to the terminals. If its the negative side thast missing then the wire comes from the dissy, if its the positive side and you have a "circuit test light" or even a multimeter handy test the loose wire for "power"(with test light by putting probe in the connector on the wire and earthing the other end to the body or engine block somewhere) or check for a voltage with the multimeter, you will have to turn the ignition on when testing.
Hope this helps and makes some sense to you

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

Ok, I will check that tomorrow.... My partner did say he saw a little spark when placing the loose wire on the top of the coil where there is nothing attached...
And yes, bad pic I know but that silver thing on the right is the alternator, then the round oil filter shaped thing left of centre is the coil, then the bright dot lower left is the exposed end of the loose wire. From that you should be able to trace that wire back to the thing iin the middle that I dont know the name for kinda looks like two AA batteries stuck together and painted black.....
I am truly perplexed as to how this happened..... I hope this wire is all thats wrong with it............
thanx

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Size DOES Matter!!!

crap happens... I'm sure when we get a clear picture, we'll be able to say "just put a new crimp connector on the end of that wire and plug it in there"

there will always need to be a t least 1 little wire in either side of the coil, no matter what else is there, having those 2 is a given.... the -'ve side goes to the distributor, and the +'ve side goes to 12v

those battery looking things are condensors

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Ok - Got new pics - hope they help.... Still no change, and now that I have had a good look at it in daylight lol I see what you are all talking about, that there is two wires coming off the coil; one that goes to the dizzy and one that disappears into the loom as stated.
In addition to that, there is a third wire attached that comes from the condensor, and the mystery wire also comes from the condensor and is attached to nothing.
After a closer look, this mystery wire is white, but with a kind of braid cover that is black.
Regardless, the car wont start and I do not know what the root of the problem is, and I still dont seem to be getting a spark from the leads - but why not I do not know...





Again, click on the image to see full size. Any help would be very much appreciated.

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Size DOES Matter!!!

Do you own a multimeter or at least a 12v test light?

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