22 replies to this topic

[SurreySprite]

Hey all,

1994 Mini Sprite 1275cc Carbs (Standard)

I have been having issues starting in damp weather recently and i think the spark is very weak.

Could some one reccommend a coil for me to get? I am not sure whether it is ballasted or non-ballasted.

Thank you,
James

[lrostoke]

If its all standard then its ballasted

[SurreySprite]

If its all standard then its ballasted

Great thank you.

Is there any particular coil that can be recommended? I have seen Lucas Gold mentioned in a few places.

[Ethel]

There should be some markings on the coil to help you identify it. Might be worth using an ohmmeter to test it - it could be down to the ballast resister if it is ballasted.

[dklawson]

With a ballast ignition you either have a ballast resistor... or a resistor wire from the ignition switch to the coil. The only way I've ever seen those fail is to "burn" open... so no current flows. When that happens the engine will start while you turn the ignition key and die as soon as you release the key.

You said 1994. I thought that by 1994 the Mini had gone to electronic ignition. Is that correct? If so... did it use a ballast ignition system? These are not answers, I really don't know and am asking.

[Dan]

I thought that by 1994 the Mini had gone to electronic ignition

Not on all models. If it does have electronic ignition it needs an electronic type coil.

If the spark is indeed weak (very loose description and not usually the case when people think it is) then it's because something is wrong, not because the standard equipment isn't up to it. The spark isn't weak as standard. Fitting uprated parts won't help if the system is damaged or faulty.

What plug gap is set? Were you testing the spark by resting a plug against the block?

[huntface]

Hi all,

James is going off something I mentioned to him.

James and I are old friends and a few weeks ago we left our cars parked outside his house for a weekend. When we came back to them on a cold damp evening, mine started and his didn't.

I suggested it might be a coil problem as my has got an uprated one his is standard.

We realise it could a number of things so were just spitballing.

His car usually starts fine, but doesn't like the cold and damp!

Edited by huntface, 09 January 2009 - 02:33 PM.

[Dan]

Doesn't sound like a coil problem. Faulty coils normally show themselves up when they are warm during a long drive, not when they're cold.

Sounds like someone's disconnected the cranking bypass from a ballasted ignition system, or the fuel level is too low in the carb. Or maybe the battery was just a bit flat.

[huntface]

Ok thanks, we'll take a look at that.

His battery is ok, we tested that and its charges well when running. In fact his battery is in better nick than mine.

If the cranking bypass has been disconnected, wouldn't that cause starting problems whatever the weather conditions?

[Dan]

Yes but to a far lesser extent. Cold weather starting is the whole point of ballasted ignition. If it isn't normally running after two or so rotations, it is having trouble in all conditions. A good condition A series with a functioning ignition system and healthy battery is a dream to start.

[Ethel]

Agree with Dan, A's are excellent burners. Try disconnecting the pink/white when the engine is warm and try starting it, if it doesn't doesn't even try to start but will when the pink is back on it would indicate that's the problem.

[taffy1967]

With a ballast ignition you either have a ballast resistor... or a resistor wire from the ignition switch to the coil. The only way I've ever seen those fail is to "burn" open... so no current flows. When that happens the engine will start while you turn the ignition key and die as soon as you release the key.

You said 1994. I thought that by 1994 the Mini had gone to electronic ignition. Is that correct? If so... did it use a ballast ignition system? These are not answers, I really don't know and am asking.

Well my 1990 Rover Mini Cooper (Mainstream carb model) has electronic ignition and my coil doesn't have any pink wires, only white/black with white: -



So if it's electronic, does that mean it's not ballasted?

[taffy1967]

Oh and yes, a 1994 Mini Sprite 1275cc Carbs (Standard) will have electronic ignition too.

[Dan]

The electronic ignition system uses a ballasted type coil (one that's specific to the electronic system is best) but the ballasting is controlled by the dizzy module not by the wiring.

[taffy1967]

Thanks Dan, but it's all too easy to get the wiring wrong on my coil.