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Electrical questions.....

terriphill

Darth Vader
Offline
OK, I put a test light to the coil. On the positive side it glows steady when the ignition is turned. It is supposed to flash on the negative terminal and instead I am getting a solid light which explains why it is not firing a spark.
Is this because I have something crossed? Where woud I look. I am getting ready to pull the dash again and check all the wiring behind it to make sure nothing is cross-wired, but is this where its would be or should I trace back through the starter?
 
It's only supposed to flash when you crank the engine over. If it doesn't flash while cranking, then the points are not closing. It could be dirt between the point contacts. The problem is not in the dash etc. from the info you have given, but somewhere in the points. Clean them up with a small file or emery, and re-adjust.

Edit: Also check that the points are properly installed, especially if this happened just after you put new ones in.
 
you don't supose he has the points grounded?????????
 
oops, no points here, petronix electronic ignition. When I turn the key I do not get a flash, only a constant light and no spark. Black and white is attached to the negative side The other BW is now a dead end since we put in the electronic ignition) Green and white is to the positive.
1. Is the coil bad? Can you test? It is new
2. Can the Tach be bad? This is a used replacement from another 1980 MGB because I dropped and borke the glass in the original
3. Could the electronic ignition be the problem? It is also new
 
Thank you guys, the points replies helped "point" us in the right direction. I figured since the points were removed and an electronic ignition installed perhaps that's wherer the problem was and BINGO, we pulled the ignition and it appears that it has some hot spots on it where it got hot.
Good news is that all of the other wiring is O.K. because we cleaned and checked everything looking for the problem.
I'll let you know if a new igntion fixes our spark problem.
TOmorrow's another day!
Again, this is a great place to ask for help!! Thanks. T:smile:
 
Broken glass on an insturment can be changed.
 
Not when the rings are rusted on so tight they won't move! I just replaced all of the guages with nicer ones that didn't have rust and crud all over them from sitting outside and being ignored.
 
Turn em face down and soak in pbblaster around the rings. Then in a few days use a fine screwdriver and pry the ring free all around and more pbBlaster.

Good to go.

If you don't want em send to me, LOL.
 
Hey, I have boxes of leftovers. Remember, I bought a donor car that I disassembled and boxed up so I would have spares when I started reassembly. WHen I get it up and running I'll post a list. The guages from the 80 B are in a box on a shelf in the garage. They work, but are not in any condition for resale. If you think you would like them, PM me your address and I'll send em to you.
 
Naa. I was just jokeing, I'm running a Bugeye. No need for more guages.
 
I was hoping you were starting a collection for your next project and I was going to jump at the opportunity to share the wealth!!!
 
Shoot, I can't get into a B and after I do get in there is no room.

Bugeyes with no roll up windows and thin seat backs are for me.
 
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