Some advice please

[pete1]

I have just given my lovely red Chim a little service

Everything seemed to be fine untill

Fitted new plugs, boots and leads and a dizzy cap and Rotor arm,

Now the car seems a little off tune and the Tacho dances a little even though the Rpm's are constant.

I am pretty sure that it is not a single cylinder misfiring but seems more like the type of running you can get with a vacum leak.

Any ideas where i should start before i start unreplacing everything once at a time?

Also got a Plug in diagnostic box from Rimmer as quoted in the bible and can't seem to get it working, i imagined it would have a display but it doesn't seem too am i missing something incredibly simple?

thanks in advance

[tvrbob]

Dancing tacho is often caused by the HT circuit earthling out. Put the old leads back on and try it again. If the problem is still there I'd go for the cap next. Did you keep the plug ceramic parts clean? It's unlikely to be that far down the line though, most likely you have a short around the cap or on the lead from the coil. It would be worth also checking the low tension leads on the coil. You may have disturbed them during the service.

>> Edited by tvrbob on Wednesday 11th May 22:39

[chimtvr]

What BOB said good advice

[pete1]

The New HT leads run almost touching the coolant tank, could they short out through that?

If i ran the car in the dark would i be able to see the short sparks?

[tvrbob]

pete1 said:

The New HT leads run almost touching the coolant tank, could they short out through that?

Yes it could be there but I would still look closer to the coil.

pete1 said:

If i ran the car in the dark would i be able to see the short sparks?

Not always. It depends on how conductive the fault area is.

[pete1]

I have re-routed all of the HT leads super carefully, i have checked the coil resistance and its fine and i can see no problems with the LT side of the coil.

The Revs are still dancing slightly but she does seem to run better, where should i go from here? Not that i can do anymore tonight unless i really want to be lynched by the neighbours!! :-)

[peteA]

pete1 said:

I have re-routed all of the HT leads super carefully, i have checked the coil resistance and its fine and i can see no problems with the LT side of the coil. The Revs are still dancing slightly but she does seem to run better, where should i go from here? Not that i can do anymore tonight unless i really want to be lynched by the neighbours!! :-)

Spooky that - Ive just replaced my HT leads (10mm items) and plug estensions (from ACT) and am getting exactly the same thing happening with my tacho!

Like yours the car seems to be running better but the rev counter dances about 500rpm either side of what seems like the true rpm.

Will check the items mentioned above at the weekend.

PS - cool name

[spend]

Screw the ign amp back in?

Dave

[pete1]

Pete,

How spooky is that, My leads were the 8.5mm Magnecor ones, I have now cleaned the coil connections and really really caefully routed all the leads but the problem is still there.

Let me know if you solve it. :-)

spend,

I didn't know the ignition amplifier could unscrew, i thought the Chim had a little black box hidden somewhere Where should i be looking??

[petros]

Are your leads and extensions insulated?

[pete1]

FIXED IT !!!!!

The Problem was a single loose "nipple" on the end of the spark plug, once i had found it and tightened it down, the problem just went away and now she is running better than ever.

One Happy Chim and One Happy Owner

[tvrbob]

Thank for sharing the answer, I have filed it away as something to try next time someone posts this problem.

[peteA]

pete1 said:

FIXED IT !!!!! The Problem was a single loose "nipple" on the end of the spark plug, once i had found it and tightened it down, the problem just went away and now she is running better than ever. One Happy Chim and One Happy Owner

Nice one!

Haven't had a chance to check mine over yet but must admit to being in a hurry when i put the new leads on. will check the plug 'nipples' as well. all seems a bit strange as the car feels as though it is running better...