Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing morgan electronic ignition not working

I have changed from Lucas to Bosch last year after the two Lucas sports coils before didn't last more than two years. For electronic ignitions some manufacturers suggest special coils (probably standard coils sold under their own brand for a higher price?). I never had others than the oil filled type. Aren't the others only for modern ignition systems (seperate coil for every cylinder)?

Frank

thanks for the feed back Frank.
I did some reading on the net and apparently there are some fitted with a "ballast resistor" on the outside.
Now I'm not sure which mine is! it does have a square thing wired in on the outside with wires from the coil going into it and then else-ware.
I can only buy bosh coils in Australia.
cheers

Peter, originally there was an ignition without ballast resistor in the Morgans of "our" vintage and that is what I have in my car. The square thing seems to be such a resistor in yours. The wire goes from the ignition lock to the resistor and then to the coil.

Perhaps your coil came with the electronic ignition from Mobelec (I'm surprised that they shouldn't be around anymore). If so, you should stick to a coil with resistor. Otherwise you can change to one without. The resistor is only there to help produce a strong(er) spark when starting the engine (with weak battery or in the cold).

Frank

Frank, that explains it all, many thanks.
Tomorrow I am taking it to a local auto electrician and we will we what the problem is.
It is well to be prepared and extra knowledge is very valuable.
cheers
Peter

my update: went to auto electrician and coil tested OK.

Scratched many heads and concluded its an obscure intermittent fault.....
Went 50 meters down the road and it stopped as I had indicated before.
Went back and they rushed up with more test equipment to fill a bus.
Tested again and there was no start.
OMG its the yellow box of electronics's, not sending a pulse.
Sent me on my way home and said that they would phone me in 30 mins to see if I had made it back.
This they did and I had made it home without a stop.
If I did not answer they were going to send a tow truck to collect me! Niceeeeeeeeeeeeee.
I am now looking for a total replacement ignition system, and am leaning to the 123 Ignition made in Holland.
will keep u posted on developments....
Peter

Peter, I googled Mobelec. There are Systems which have a switch on the yellow box which allows to return to points ignition if the electronic fails (not bad!). Yours isn't by chance one of these? The company is still in business but with heavier gear...

http://www.heinzmann.de/


I am looking forward to read your experiences with 123.

Frank

Frank - are you sure that company was Mobelec?

I ran a Mobelec on my MG for years. It was fault free for 20 years until the trigger in the dissy module disintegrated.

The (black box) module was silver and ribbed. They were sold in Halfords in the late seventies and were very reputable at the time, but appeared to be a cottage industry type of operation.

Yes, Peter, they did Mobelec. It was the favourite with drivers of hot BMWs and Saabs. You may have noticed that you can open the website in English. As they have to keep a reputation they would probably take special care for a customer from Australia. Why not send them an email, perhaps they have old stock or give you tchnical assistance.

Good luck
Frank

Hi Frank
My old Mobelec unit is totally sealed and no switch.
I removed it and had to drill out 3 hollow rivets to gain access to the internals.
It had a thin cork gasket and all the working internally were encased in a white epoxy resin, so nothing could shake loose and also stop ingress of moisture.
So nothing in there seemed amiss.

As a temporary fix I have bought a used distributor from the auto wreckers from a 1300 Ford escort.
They measure up the same and it fits the hole. I dismantled it and gave it a good clean up. Even the points were in good condition!

The only difference that may be present is the weight and spring pressures of the vacuum advance workings? may be slight differences but when I install it today we will see what is what?

The old distributor differs visually only in the vacuum advance chamber, the original has a nut and the internal spring and tube that can be removed, the replacement one is a sealed unit. If it is important I could do a swap and create one original dizzy from 2.

The 123 ignition for the ford engines will not be available for 2 months the guy from Holland said, so I just hope that this fix will keep me on the road?
123ignition for kent engine

cheers
Peter

update:
installed the points system distributor, static timed it and it started.
Then checked the timing with a strobe light and it was too advanced.
Static timing is so basic and the strobe proved my point.
Adjusted the dissy and then went for a test drive.
It Went like a rocket, sound nice, pulls and accelerates well.
Returned to shed very pleased with myself. Might just leave it there for a while.
Now the hazard lights and spots wont work? must have pulled a wire or two when removing the Mobelec electronic system?
Another trip to the auto electrician is called for I think!
sigh.......