Baffled, breakdown and no idea of the cause.

[dixiebabes]

Disaster, rusty nail X Round the corner and the wedge decides to break down. Same thing that happened before which i thought was water ingress into the dizzy area. Started fine then decided to cut out on idle, fired back up after a struggle and seemed like it was only running on about 4 cylinders. Revved it up and after a bit seemed to clear. Got my nephew to follow me so i could give it a good blast up the dual carriageway. A few massive backfires and it cut out but this time it wont start back up and had to be towed home which resulted in shearing the radiator fixing off underneath, any ideas lads cause i have no idea maybe a blocked fuel filter or fuel pump on the way out??? It ran fine for the first few miles and then all this happened.

[dixiebabes]

Just done the usual checks Adam, I'm getting a yellowish spark from the coil lead when i arc it on to the rockers and crank it but no spark from the plugs so that seems to be the problem. Any advice on where to start looking now?

Dix.

[dixiebabes]

Yeah carbon bush is still there and moving ok. The cap and rotor have been changed recently due to a crack and arcing in previous 1.

[dixiebabes]

Sounds like a new amp is the way forward. Anybody have a link to a new one, early v8 1983/84.

Dix

[dixiebabes]

Just had another look now back from the pub. If im honest i cant see anything on the dizzy what looks like an amp. Have a picture here but not sure how to post em?

[dixiebabes]

This must be the beasty with the coil bolted to it then eh lads? Just took it off.

[dixiebabes]

Changed the cap and rotor arm not so long ago. The yellow spark from the coil has me convinced its a pre distribution fault mark.

Dix

[dixiebabes]

Update. Took the ignition amplifier module off the car and took it down to the local motor factors who tested the amp and coil which are both working fine with a good strong blue spark. The lad behind the counter is a time served Rover mechanic and he believes its 90% probably the condensor that's at fault so a new one on order and I'll try it tomorrow so fingers crossed it works or no rusty nail for the wedge this year.

Dix.

Edited by dixiebabes on Tuesday 18th September 21:00

[dixiebabes]

Strange set up but here's hoping a new condensor sorts it.

Dix

[dixiebabes]

KKson it's one of the very first wedges with V8 Rover Injection fitted. I'm beginning to realise there's quite a lot of differences from the later wedges and thats after 14 years of owning it.

Dix

[dixiebabes]

Further investigation revealed its a radio supressor not a condenser as first thought its been changed and no difference. Next port of call is the coil which is on order and will be fitted later today, ordered a bosch one which was a bit pricey at 50 quid but germans always better. Gunna fot that when it arrives as the spark is still yellow when the king lead is detatched and arced onto to rockers. So if that dont work I'll have a look at the dizzy when this mental wind stops.

Dix.

[dixiebabes]

Ha ha brilliant. Will do DUNC.

Dix

[dixiebabes]

BIG DUNC said:

I have recently had a coil failure (and an ignition amp failure for that matter).

I ordered a genuine Bosch coil at a similar price, so three times the cost of a cheapy.

A month later it left me by the side of the road as the coil was arcing everywhere other than down the king lead.

Supplier was very apologetic and sent a replacement promptly, which, so far, has been OK.

Both mine appeared to be original Bosch with the distinctive "made in South America" stamp on them. When you get your new one, post on here where it says it was made.

Yup made in south America. You were right DUNC.

[dixiebabes]

Coil changed to bosch one and no difference, still wont fire. Numerous amounts of multi meter checks continuity voltage etc but still nothing. Next step has to be the dizzy as no spark to plugs but a spark from coil to dizzy. Completly baffled.

Dix.

[dixiebabes]

Think I'll change both to be sure mark. Any links for decent ones please?

Dix