MG Midget Ignition - No Spark!

May 27, 2006 3 Replies

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AuburnFan 20 years ago

I am rebuilding a 1971 1275 midget engine. Its nearly complete but when I go to crank the engine, it turns over but won't start!

Here's the mystery:

With the ignition turned on, i have power flowing to the coil on the white wire. I have power flowing out of the coil on the CB (contact breaker) side AS LONG AS I DO NOT CONNECT THE WHITE/BLACK WIRE TO THE DISTRIBUTOR!

As soon as I hook up the white/black wire to the coil from the distributor body, I get a small arc/spark and the circuit goes dead.

Any ideas?

-AuburnFan Birmingham, Alabama

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Bot 20 years ago

My best guess is that the electrical connection at the end of the long leaf spring connected to the moving point on the distributor plate is earthed.

The connection must contact the eye in the end of the spring, but not the threaded stud that is connected to the base plate. There should be a couple of nylon insulators that enable you to do this. Assemble nylon insulator, spring, connector wire, upper insulator, washer, nut.

Second guess is that points are not adjusted correctly, and cam is not opening points.

Third guess is that ignition timing is way out, or plug leads are in wrong order.

Cheers Ian F

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wilber 20 years ago

I had this problem once and the parts store had given me the WRONG set of points!...Some times the points are earthed, or grounded. Also when i rebuit mine the timeing was way out and it wouldnt start...play with the timing some...may start right up

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JC 20 years ago

If at that time the contact breaker points are closed this is normal. When they are open, you should have power again. Right?

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