ignition problems

[tommy]

help , i have an ignition problem that is doing my head in. it seems that both small leads on my coil is live and one is getting red hot [its covered in mud at the moment so i dont know what wires is on the poss or neg side of the coil] . just wondered if anything may stick out or is it just a case of illimination. its a santanna 1988 410. does anyone know where the wires go to and from?

[muddy kev]

hi tommy, is it points ignition or electronic? does the engine still run?
if not running and points ignition then its probably just the points not adjusted and not opening or poss the condenser shorted out. easy to check just have look at points and if opening then disconnet condenser see if it cools down.
if its electronic then its prob the ignition module gone down.
1 other thing u say its covered in mud if its points ignition then it will have a ballast resistor, normally a white block about 2"s long mounted on bulkhead near coil, this needs to be kept clean and mud free.....as far as poss... or it will over heat.
hope this helps.

cheers kev

[tommy]

hi tommy, is it points ignition or electronic? does the engine still run?
if not running and points ignition then its probably just the points not adjusted and not opening or poss the condenser shorted out. easy to check just have look at points and if opening then disconnet condenser see if it cools down.
if its electronic then its prob the ignition module gone down.
1 other thing u say its covered in mud if its points ignition then it will have a ballast resistor, normally a white block about 2"s long mounted on bulkhead near coil, this needs to be kept clean and mud free.....as far as poss... or it will over heat.
hope this helps.

cheers kev

yeh kev it just a points system long before electronic ignition, i am trying out what you said sounds good but i would like to know what wires goes where so i can illiminate if need be my problem thanks

[muddy kev]

Hi, working from memory now cos mines now diesel. but should have an ignition live into ballast resistor, the white ceramic block on bulk head near coil, the other end of ballast will prob have 2 wires on, 1 will go to the + side of coil the other will go to starter motor for better cold starting. - side of coil then goes to distributor.
are u anywhere near Brighton?

cheers kev

[tommy]

thanks kev, done what you said and the engine fires up ok now but will only run on full choke .dont know if i have carburettor probs , maybe its sucking in too much air or one of the jets are blocked or could it still be an ignition problem.?? sorry mate i live in portsmouth. interested what diesel engine youve put in your sj, did it go straight in ? what did it entail? cheers tommy

[muddy kev]

hi tom,
glad u got running. 2 things u could check is are the points set to correct gap, and is the timing set correctly? check the the points gap with feeler gauge, not sure what gap is but sure 1 of the guys on here will know. when points set correctly, losen the distributor mount bolt and with engine idling ,slowly rotate distributor body within clamp until engine runs at its best, to set spot on u will need a strobe light.
diesel engine in mine is a ford 1600 fiesta/escort coupled to a mk2 1300cc gearbox. just got a 1800diesel so gonna change it later this year. not to bad to do, tricky bits are exhaust manifold needs to be specially made to miss steering shaft, starter drive end bracket needs modifing to get diesel starter to fit petrol gearbox bell housing. and clutch arm needs bending a bit. up side is strong cheap engine with loads of grut.

[bourneyo]

ignition should be at 10* before top dead centre, but you will need a timing light to set that, I piked one up for £20 on flebay brand new. dont know points gap, will look when i get home.

Dan