The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Evening all,

Iv bought a new coil for my ballasted system, i was previously running on a 12v one the past few months so i decided to fit the correct 6v type.

So, car started but after about 3 minutes it died, turns out it killed the condenser. So, i put a new condensor on and tried again with the 12v coil as i knew that had been working previously, car ran and started fine so i put back the 6v coil and exactly the same happened.. started, ran for a matter or seconds, wouldn't restart and it killed another condenser.

Has anyone any theories/advice at all? I did a bench test on the 6v coil and its working ok so thats a known good. Could it be a faulty resistor?

I must also mention that the car about a year ago had a 6v coil fitted and it was perfectly happy with it.

Have you checked the resistance across the terminals on the new 6v? Just wondering if its a faulty or mis-labelled coil..

Tony

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Membership 2014047

now that i haven't done! ill give that a go for starters

well it seems to be reading ok on a volt meter, i actually have 2 6v coils and both give exactly the same reading

Maybe this is a help...
https://www.dollywiki.co.uk/wiki/Igniti ... ss_removal

Why would you de-grade your ignition system to a 12v volts system when you have a ballasted setup?

Jeroen

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Classic Kabelboom Company. For all your wiring needs. http://www.classickabelboomcompany.com

My local garage told me once he has a lot of problems ignition wise on old cars because of the ballast thingy.
Last year even his fiat 124 spider wouldn't restart at his friend house, was the same thing ...
My spitfire has been converted years ago to a 12v system and both my friend his MG's also.
They do all start first time.

Have a look at this video on Youtube (I think it's in four parts). It will help you understand how a ballasted ignition system works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec7gSyVrh4g

So if it's killing the condenser it maybe you don't have two leads connected to the positive side of the coil?

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Sprintless for the first time in 35+ years. ... Still Sprintless.

Engines, Gearboxes, Overdrives etc. rebuilt. PM me.


1997 TVR Chimaera 450

As we keep saying the problem with a ballasted system on slant engined dolomites is the unreliable
bypass feed for starting.

Jonners

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Note from Admin: sadly Jon passed away in February 2018 but his humour and wealth of knowledge will be fondly remembered by all. RIP Jonners.

That is a great explanation of how it works. Well recommended.

Tony

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Membership 2014047

thanks for the advice, after knacking about 4 condensers i realised it wasnt wired up correctly (schoolboy error) but is running quite nicely now!