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Midget w Datsun running gear cutting out suddenly

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RickB

RickB

Yoda
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So the thing just started cutting out randomly especially when cold.
I take off from home and it will do this thing where it feels like it's losing ignition for an instant, sometimes repeatedly so it's running on-off-on-off.
The tach swings wildly.
Then it starts running ok, not 100% but ok.

It's spring now so time to change out plugs, cap & rotor.
It has electronic ignition so no points to play with.
Any other ideas?
 
That would do it, and I can't say it's not the problem.
I replaced all those wires last spring and am hoping that I get more than once season from a set of plug wires.
 
Check the low tension leads at the coil and dizzy for a loose or broken wire hidden in the insulation.
Also check the rivets on the coil where the wires plug onto the terminals.
I had a loose rivet on a coil that drove me crazy for a couple of weeks.
If they all check out fine, check the wire on the ign switch and tach, the white wire.
 
All very good leads, I will do that today after work.
I will also switch the cap, rotor and plugs today after work if the rain er... weather permits.
 
I don't know much, but it seems to me that it's on the low voltage side of the coil because of your description of the behavior of the tach. .. check the power lead from the fuse box to your ignition switch, the switch and the wire leaving the switch, going around the tach and thence to the coil. ... I'm guessing weak coil connection, or at the ignition switch, but then again, I don't know much.......and it's probably the carbs anyway. LOLOL..
 
Pythias said:
I don't know much.......and it's probably the carbs anyway. LOLOL..
Click to expand...

heh...

I did some work on it, wont know until morning just how effective.
 
As I recall, you had a couple of spade connectors that make it easy to remove your tach. I'd start right there.
 
It was way better this morning.
The plugs I removed were extremely carbon fouled.
The cap & rotor had a lot of carbon buildup on the contacts.
I cut out a bunch of wiring mess and connected things to a new fuse block.
Still cutting out but not nearly as badly, so the problem is still there just not as pronounced.
This started with my old ignition switch, the car was cutting out until it just wouldn't run any more.
I may have a problem with the connector under the dash that connects the ignition switch to the harness, I will check that tonight - rain permitting.
 
mightymidget said:
water in gas?
Click to expand...

I thought about that, but I've been getting the ethanol free gas at the one station around here that supplies it.
I fill up about once a week at the same place.
In other words I'm using about 7 gallons a week consistently.

It really feels more like a brittle connection to the coil or something like that.

Maybe I'll be able to get out there and look at it today, hopefully.
 
Well I worked on it Friday night, then felt sick yesterday so didn't get back to it until today.

I had previously moved the coil over to the passenger side of the car since that is where the dist. and the plugs are.
The wire I used wasn't the best, I replaced that today.

I also completed replacing the old glass fuse block with two newer style blade fuse blocks.

Mounted all my relays with self tapping screws instead of leaving them to dangle by the wiring.

Basically cleaned up some stuff.

Driving ok now, but it's generally early morning that is the problem time so I'll hold judgment until after tomorrow morning.
 
Things are better, however still a problem.
Now it's just pulling uphill when it happens and feels more like a big 'miss' than a total cutout.
However it does it as I'm taking off up a hill and get above 2500 rpm in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear.
Once I'm on the freeway it seems to run smoothly.
Pretty strange.
:wall:
 
check your plugs - what color are they>?
 
I imagine they are black, I just replaced them a few days ago though.
Right now I'm more inclined to think it's one of my plug wires, I plan on getting a new set today after work.
I've got leaky valve seals, but it runs fine that way just have to replace plugs more often. This trouble started a couple weeks ago.
Could be something bad, but I hope not.
 
If it cuts out under load going up hill it could be a fuel delivery problem. Don't suppose you are running a electric pump anymore though. If you had a see thru fuel filter between pump and carbs it may be enlightening. Why don't you send me your dual carb setup and put the stock back on. Stock carb has a window so you can see the fuel in the float bowl. The dual carbs are just too much of a headache!!! ;-)


Kurt.
 
New set of plug wires.
Apparently the set I got a year ago have depleted most of their electrons.
New wires = no more misses.
Who woulda thought?
:lol:
 
RickB said:
New set of plug wires.
Apparently the set I got a year ago have depleted most of their electrons.
New wires = no more misses.
Who woulda thought?
:lol:
Click to expand...

always the simple stuff. congrats! BTW good job it was only the electrons you let out and not the smoke.
 
So what brand of plug wires did you wear out, and what brand did you replace them with? I've been running Bosch and have been happy.
 
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