Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

In trying to track down an intermittent missfire problem, I'm checking the rb340 control box as per the manual.
It says to "run the generator ar 3000rpm"
by this do they mean the generator or the engine at 3000rpm? do i need to do some maths?

and,
can a misadjusted control box even cause a missfire? I'm wondering if it causing the coil to crap out.

merry xmas!
-Jim

Sorry but why would you think generator control box from an engine misfire?

Jon the Chief

Hi,
Never checked the pulley ratio but from memory they seem to be around the same size, so engine speed will be fine. Unlikely a fault in the battery charging system would cause a misfire.
You could eliminate any possible trouble by substituting the feed to the coil + with a separate source/battery, you will need an easy disconnect to stop the engine.
Ron.

Or just run it with the D and F wire off the generator on the battery

>>Unlikely a fault in the battery charging system would cause a misfire.
Ron.<<<

A fault in the charging system will absolutely cause a misfire when the battery voltage dips too low as the battery slowly discharges. On a car with a mechanical fuel pump you can drive for some time with no generator if you don't use the lights and heat. Eventually the battery will run down and the ignition will fail.

Jentwistle3
Comments made are relative to the post!
?In trying to track down an intermittent missfire problem?
Ron.

thanks guys,

the reason for checking the control box is that it's the last item that was changed before the problem arose, which usually ends up being the problem.

when a condenser fails, is it intermittent or is it done for good when it's done? or does it overheat then come back to life like a coil can?

Condensers can fail when hot leading to a miss fire and come back to be OK when they cool off.

cheers
Rohan