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Tips
Tips

So many questions...

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Sharpish

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Ok. First of all...I'm guessing that the switch for the brake lights is located below where the coil mounts. Is the switch mechanic or electric? I'm guessing mechanical by looking at it. If so, that's good news. The little "pin" thingy seems to be seized inside...

Second...I have a '79 Midg and am trying to diagnose some ignition (at least, I think they are ignition) issues. The dizzy has one wire that runs from it the coil(That's the only wire that I can see). The coil has that wire and one that runs into the wiring harness (I'm guessing to the starter solenoid?). I have like two wires and one plug just hanging out in that general area. Are these for a diferent dizzy? I guess what I need to know is what should I have coming off the dizzy and coil...

Third...Thanks for the link to the article on water chokes. I believe I have issues with that too...
 
Yes that is the Brake light switch below the coil. You may have to unbolt the pedal box to get it out. I did on my car.

The brake light switch on my '79 midget was sticking and I managed to take it apart, clean it up, and put it back in. I broke some of the plastic in the process, and now the switch is more epoxy than machine but it works perfectly so far.

Some may say nay to my creative engineering, but I say $5 for epoxy versus @ $20 for a crappy part made in India. Easy choice for me.

Furthermore, I don't think any LBC shoud get full concourse points without some epoxy...

morris
 
[ QUOTE ]
How did you get the switch apart to clean it?

[/ QUOTE ]

You dont, it isnt repairable in the normal sense. It is certianly not woth it. "On a dark and rainy night.......

i went thru two switches till i learned how to set it. You must not let the pedal use the switch for a pedal stop! Screw the switch in slowly, till your lights just go out. usually in about 1/2 turn increments. This will give you a quick brake lite, just a touch on the pedal will activate the lamps.

Or you can pry the tabs on some switches, open it up and watch the springs fly..... Of course i have never done That..


mark
 
Hi Ian, the original distributor had 3 wires going to it, so it sounds like you have an aftermarket dizzy, or at least a modified one. I replaced the failed Opus module in mine with a Pertronix, but kept the same wiring harness should I ever come across a still-ticking 45DE4 dizzy. If the three wires still go where they should, one went to 12 volts, one went to the negative terminal of the coil, and one went to what they called the "drive resistor" mounted to the pedal box. Note this is NOT the ballast resistor; it had something to do with powering the Opus module. The actual ballast resistor was a piece of resistance wire built into the wiring harness. And yes, the brake light is also purely mechanical. It's also switched by the ignition, so the brake lights don't work without the key on.
-Dave
 
Mine had a quick disconnect harness on the wires coming from the distributor, presumably so you could replace the distributor easily. If you just have the one wire, then presumably it can disconnect quickly from the coil. Where do the other 2 wires go? Hopefully they don't have bare ends floating around loose.
 
Yeah, that's my fear too. I'm thinking that I'm safe. I think the quick disconnect is for another type of dizzy. I still don't know what I've got. I know it's a Lucas, but beyond that, I know nothing. I'm new at this and learning...
 
Silent Unicorn makes a good point about the whole dark and stormy night thing.

But I am not afraid of the dark, so I pried mine apart with a screw driver. There are four metal tabs that hold the plastic back piece on the metal body of the switch. This plastic piece is also the spring seat, so take it apart in a clean, well lighted, and unclutterd place in case you have a sproing incident.

Once you get it apart, the workings of the switch and how to clean and repair it should be pretty self explanatory.

morris
 
I ordered a new one from Moss. I figured it will save me a little time and heart-ache...Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll play with it for a backup...
 
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