I'm having fun at the moment.

My engine cuts out while I'm driving and I have to switch the key onto start to keep it going. its happening intermittently but has problems when originally starting. It will start if I keep the key on start and accelerate, but switches off in a second if I dont.

Possible culprits I think are Leads, spark plugs or ignition coil, but yet again I have no idea.

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1972 Clubman needs full resto
Coming soon: www.pimpthemini.com

do a couple of tests. sorry if i sound patronizing...

do you know how to check each plug for spark? take the plug out of the head, stick it in the lead and hold it near one of the head studs. you should be able to see the spark arcing form the plug to the stud when someone turns the car over for you. make sure you're not touchng any other part of the car at the time!

if your coil is hot, its buggered, get a new one. there is a bosch one thts goot, but i cant remember what its called. about 60 bucks from supercheap

when was the last time you changed your fuel filter?

see how ya go

cheers

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

bad earth

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-jamie-
1963morris 850
1965 solid side van
1994 rover racecar

If it weren't a mini I'd say it was a balast resistor but I don't know of any mini's that had this setup.
Basically what this is a resistor to reduce the voltage being supplied to the coil so the coil isn't worked too high with the full 12 volts when only 7 is required. When the key is in the start position the ballast resistor is bypassed to give full power to the coil to make sure there is a good spark for starting (especially important if the battery isn't the greatest).

I'm not sure of what the setup for mini's is though. Check all your wiring heading into the coil... I'm sure someone will clarify what I'm saying to eventually make sense.

Have you checked your ignition barrel?

GT-40 ?

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Gareth.

I was about to say, are you sure your heavy key rings and keys aren't switching your ignition off? Check your entire wiring.

Either that or your carb idle is set too low?

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Fuel filter?

My moke used to cut off when I did a hard left due to the filter being clogged and needing replacing.

Shard

I'll try the fuel filter, it hasnt been that long probably about 8-10months.

I'll give the plugs a go as well. I might change the coil for the fun of it, it looks to old.

thanks

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1972 Clubman needs full resto
Coming soon: www.pimpthemini.com

yeah, its a bosch GT40. good little jigger.

fuel filter shouldnt need changing after that amount of time, ususally good for a couple of years. depends on how much driving youve done of ouse.

but, bu\y the same token they are worth about 5 bucks so it couldnt hurt

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

check to see if a ballast resistor has been fitted to coil. if so this maybe going to open circuit when getting hot and stopping batt voltage to + side of coil

Ignition switch.

My moneys on it being the ignition switch too.