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TR2/3/3A TR3 No start No spark Help

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mountainman

mountainman

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I was getting my Tr3 out of storage last Saturday. It started right up and was running fine.
I left it running while I went to get the top and when I got back [maybe 5 minutes] it had stalled. Tried to
restart and it just turned over and over. I have no fire to plugs or to distribor cap. I have a Flame Thrower Electronic Distributor from Moss. Do you think I might have fried the electronics?
Thanks
Greg
 
Maybe if the iggy was on for a while without it running
 
The Pertronix conversion module is fairly well known for that problem. There is even a warning in the installation instructions. I don't know how different the electronics are in the "electronic distributor", but I wouldn't be surprised if they were the same.
 
How long was the ignition switch in the on position without it running?

Just out of curiosity how many Ohms is your coil?
 
Called Moss and they told me if you leave the ignition on for 30 seconds without the motor running it will burn out the electronics. You think they could fuse it some way.
 
That's why I like points...you have at least 5 minutes before you burn them if you leave the ignition on! Fuse would not work, as the amerage is not enough to blow it. It fries the electronics because it is a continuous low current instead of an intermittent low current whe the engine is turning.

John
 
Sorry,tdship I don't know how many ohoms the coil is. It's the Lucas Sports Coil.
 
Or Pertronix could do like every other electronic ignition manufacturer in the world, and add a few transistors to detect when the engine is not turning and shut down the coil current.

I haven't tried it, but I'm pretty sure you could do the same thing yourself by getting one of those fuel pump relays from an early Bosch fuel injection setup. The relay has a sense line that runs to the coil, and will open if it doesn't see pulses for a few seconds. It also pulls in when you turn the key on, so you've got juice to start the engine (or in this case energise the Pertronix so it can supply pulses to the coil).

Looks like they are available new for $25-$30 (cheaper without the fuse):
https://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/fuel_pump_relay/volkswagen/rabbit.html
 
Moss' figure of 30 seconds to failure is WAY too conservative. Previous posts from members who contacted the Pertronix tech support line have reported figures between 3 minutes and 5 minutes.

The original Ignitor modules have this "time without running" problem. The newer Ignitor-II design does not have this issue. However, I don't think they have started making Ignitor-II for most of the Lucas distributors yet.

Regardless, you can always refit your old points distributor to get the car running until (and if) you refit a replacement ignition module.
 
For a few dollars more you can get a Crane XR 700 electronic distributor.
They do not overheat & are almost bullet proof & never wear out.

Bob
 
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