I have already had some good advice on electronic ignition for my Sprint but in the meantime I decided to replace the old points and condenser in order to try and get the car started. The points were supplied by Rimmers and the condenser from Powerspark. Powerspark sent me a similar condenser but it had a different fitting on the end which I had to adapt.
All done and the engine started. I warmed it up until it idled nicely. I switched it off and then decided to restart it a short while later.
The ignition lights on the dash were on but no engine turnover when I turned the key. I rechecked the distributor and the points and condenser looked ok. I checked the fuses and various connections but nothing obvious.
Any ideas what I should check?
You may have guessed that I am not much of a mechanic!
If there was no activity at all when turning the key, first check to see if the horn or wipers are working? If they are not, then your problem lies in the fuse box; dirty contacts or a blown fuse.
If the wipers or horn do work then you need to first look at the starter motor connections, again dirty, or maybe the small spade connector has become detached. If problems with the starter motor can be ruled out, then look at the ignition switch itself...if applying 12v direct to the starter turns the engine, then the switch may have wear in it. There are two very small screws which hold the switch in the end of the ignition barrel, but short of testing with a known good switch I'm not sure how best to advise you further if it transpires to be this which is causing your problem...
