spark plugs

[Higs]

Every time I released the key to the run position it died.I managed to get it home by this method, God knows what I've done to the starter motor & ring gear but it will only start by holding the key on cranking.

John

I suggest that we need to apply some logical and step by step problem solving

Firstly, what model is your +2? Critically, does it have a ballast resistor coil set up? The issue here is that the ballast resistor is designed to increase the voltage across the coil when cranking (to help starting) and to reduce it when running normally. The coil is designed to run normally on about 8 volts. If you do have one then we are probably looking for something in the coil, points, cap area (probably the coil) as it seems to need the full 12 volts to run correctly.

If you do not have a ballast resistor set up, then it sounds like the ignition switch.

Lets get the first question answered and then we can sort out a logical test plan.

Hope this helps

Richard

[pauljones]

Hi all,

I have posted this as a question for my plus 2, (see its alive). Due to the reply's that I recieved I have stripped down and cleaned the fuel pump mesh filter to eliminate a fuel supply fault, and as I still had the same symtoms I am now changing the points to electronic. The problems seem to be coil related,getting hot and failing, at idle and with a cold engine she runs fine and for the first few miles too. My plugs had the same soot as yours but it seemed to run better on bosche super 4's. I have now got new plugs, new leads, Aldon ignitor 2 module, flame thrower coil. The dizzy has only a rew miles on it as has the rotor arm and cap,also an Aldon unit but on the car when I got it. I hope this works as Im fitting it at the weekend. I can report the running to you when its complete. The only problems that this may cause is a mismatch to the rev counter, but ignition wise, as the spark is more powerfull, I have been told that it may burn the rotor arm out quicker,a few pounds from the local auto store to replace, so carry a spare. Also the same for the dizzy cap,and again carry a spare.

Hope this may help,

Paul

[elansprint71]

John,
Do you have access to a Colortune? These are great for looking into fuelling problems, it's a glass plug which allows you to see the flame in the cylinder (in case you did not know) and make a diagnosis.

[Kerryt333]

Hello all,
Thanks again for all replies to my problem.
Have spoken to 2 mechanics today who both straight away said ballast resistor is the problem.
I then contacted a really helpful guy at Paul Matty Sportscars who suggested taking the wire off the ballast resistor & putting it on the +ve side of the coil with the other wire already on it, therefore by-passing the ballast resistor.The car started first time without choke ,something that I've never been able to do in nearly 4 years,& kept going when the key was released.So hopefully all I'll need is an ordinary type coil as PMS can't source ballast resistors at the moment.
John

[andyelan]

Hi John

I assume you are aware that you can't run a coil disigined for use with a resistor without one for any length of time or you'll burn it out.

For balast resistors and coils you could try:-

www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk or
www.holden.co.uk

Regards
Andy

[Kerryt333]

Hi Andy,
I only ran the car for about 30 seconds just to see if it would keep going without the ballast resistor, therefore proving that the ballast resistor is the fault. I'm getting a non ballast resistor coil & see how it goes with regard to cold start & points burn out.
Should arrive tomorrow.
Regards
John

[twincamman]

I use a blue Bosch coil from an air cooled VW it has an internal ballast resistor ---works --ed