why did my coil melt?

[stevieturbo]

Hell...if mancable and cableman say you're good...you must be good ! lol

Such a random pair those....

[Steve H]

I think Mancable may be stalking Cableman

[Norfolkandchance]

OP here: Update:

A bit of ferreting around suggests that the ignition system on my car may be a bit of a bitsa with some Mk2 bits here and there.

I fitted a spare coil that came with the car and car started and runs great. Though I haven't let it run for any length of time.

The coil has two sets of terminals. One set has a green and a red wire attached, the other two black wires.

Other than the big wire from the battery, the starter has one wire coming in to the solenoid. If you take this wire off then the starter won't work!

I've got three options as I see it:

1) Assume the changed starter motor didn't lead the coil to fail. Start engine and see if it lasts a long time without melting the coil. Worst case scenario need to buy another coil and am no wiser.

2) Take lots of readings, ask lots of advice try and solve problem. But its a bitsa and advice tends to be contradictory.

3) Pay mobile auto electrician to come out and check it.

I'm minded to go for option 1.

[PositronicRay]

It would be worth carrying a spare.

[Norfolkandchance]

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply, by the way. Especially the detailed and researched ones.

[Steve H]

I'd give option 1 a 90% chance of success.

[Norfolkandchance]

Thanks for the advice everybody - very helpful. I have a spare and the car seems to be running very well so it seems to have been a coincidence.

Cheers

Chris