hard starting-engine quits

[evic1]

ok-so we are having this issue with starts & stalls on the 1500 electronic ignition. Sometimes only starts on key turning back. Going along at 40mph and it just shuts down-no power. Sometimes have to crank and crank to get back going. Have been checking connections-using dialectic grease on them, changed ignition switch, replaced starter solenoid,had broken wire on coil. Started right up this am so I thought we had it licked. NO-stalled several times again going to work. Played with the distributor a bit came up with a few different symptoms.......could that be the heart of the problems? Should it be replaced? Looking for recommendations from those of you who have experienced this too. Thanks in advance for any insight you can give!!

 

[evic1]

anybody?

 

[DrEntropy]

Your description points to the iggy module or the switch. What make is the ignition box?

...I have an aversion to "smart boxes" as ignition triggers on LBC's. Points and condenser are tried and tested, electronic modules are being subjected to all manner of torture in an engine compartment. Bound to fail, IMO.

 

[Sopwith_Camel]

could it be bad vacume? I had that happen on my 80 volvo
steve

 

[texas_bugeye]

Sounds like a coil going bad. Runs fine when first started runs a while quits cools down runs again. Get prgressivly shorter run times.

 

[evic1]

thanks for the suggestions-this is very frustrating....broke down again today and couldn't get it going this time.......had to leave it, luckily was in front of a friend's farm! I actually ordered a new flame thrower distributor and coil just before I read your replies. The car has all original equipment up til now. I sure hope this fixes it!!!! The interior updates will have to wait a bit now. Will let you know how it turns out.

 

[zimmy]

an original coil would surely be no
good after 20+ years.....z

 

[Jim_Gruber]

I know what my Mercruiser 4.6 ran like without a resistor wire on the run circuit going to the coil. Boat runs of 12V to start and 7'6 to run or something like that. Ham fisted mechanic forgot to install ballast resistor. Replaced 4 coils before it got figured out but boat ran like a scalded dog for q while until coil overheated and blew out. Our Spridgets however do not use a ballast resistor.

 

[texas_bugeye]

By the way most after market electronic ignitions except the Crane 3000 that I know of do require a ballast resistor

 

[mccalebr]

I've had similar, chronic, problems with my '60 TR3 for a year or so. On rare occasion, when it's above 95 degrees and I'm stuck in traffic for a long period (July 4th Parade) a cylinder will drop out and the car is hard to restart. After 20-30 minutes of head scratching and checking out all the usual causes, with the bonnet raised and the engine cooling, it'll fire right back up and run strong!

This week I changed out the coil that was on the car when I bought it for a Pertronix. I haven't had a set of similar circumstances and may not for a while (next July 4th???), but after the exchange and putting in new points, plugs, condenser, and button, I've at least done no harm. I'll hang onto the old coil as a spare since it worked 99.9% of the time.

Ray

 

[Billm]

Bad plug wires will also have the same symptoms that Ray described above.
Bill

 

[evic1]

I should clarify-not ALL parts are original-some have been replaced , I'm sure. This car is new to us this year and we've had to play the usual "fix everything that someone already fixed but not the right way" game. A new distributor is on the way, as well as a coil, wires, and plugs. Thanks for the suggestions-always good to get a second opinion before spending un-neccesarily. Of course, we have our own debate going-ev just wanted to swap out the coil & wires-vic says it all goes. Parts are being shipped tomorrow.

 

[DrEntropy]

an original coil would surely be no
good after 20+ years.....z

*blink-blink*

...really.... ????


Guess I better run out an' tell that Lucas Sport coil on Herself's B it's time to fail... :smirk:

 

[evic1]

all parts arrived today-went back to the farm to install them and the engine fired right up..........drove home the 6 or so miles without so much as a sputter! Glad to be back on the road, but I think our friend was sad to see it go-he had people stopping by all week to check out his new car!

 

[Bruce_B]

Good to see a problem fixed. I've also fixed ignition problems with Petronix. But I do carry a dist. with points just in case.