Technical Electric ignition issues

[GregD101]

Hi everyone. Some advice needed please. Ive recently installed an electric ignition to my 1971 fiat 500. It has the upgraded 126 650cc engine. I followed the instructions to a T, replaced the coild pack, new ht leads. When im starting it, it just refuses to start. Ive got it lined up top dead centre, distributor and arm in the correct place, but still nothing. Any advice? If anyone is close to Liverpool, and would be able to offer and expert had, as im a complete amateur, that would be amazing. Thanks.

 

[the hobbler]

Hi everyone. Some advice needed please. Ive recently installed an electric ignition to my 1971 fiat 500. It has the upgraded 126 650cc engine. I followed the instructions to a T, replaced the coild pack, new ht leads. When im starting it, it just refuses to start. Ive got it lined up top dead centre, distributor and arm in the correct place, but still nothing. Any advice? If anyone is close to Liverpool, and would be able to offer and expert had, as im a complete amateur, that would be amazing. Thanks.

As I have mentioned before Greg, I live just outside Chester (Saltney---JUST inside Wales). Being that you cannot do "static timing" on an "electronic unit", the trick is to set the timing up correctly on the 'points' (10 deg,BTDC), remember where the rotor-arm points and where the distributor is positioned with regard to the distributor mounting hole (in the crankcase), remove the distributor, fit the "electronic-unit "and then fit the distributor back into the same position. My home phone number is:---01244-683824. I am in most evenings.

 

[GregD101]

As I have mentioned before Greg, I live just outside Chester (Saltney---JUST inside Wales). Being that you cannot do "static timing" on an "electronic unit", the trick is to set the timing up correctly on the 'points' (10 deg,BTDC), remember where the rotor-arm points and where the distributor is positioned with regard to the distributor mounting hole (in the crankcase), remove the distributor, fit the "electronic-unit "and then fit the distributor back into the same position. My home phone number is:---01244-683824. I am in most evenings.

Cheers mate. We've been at it for hours now . Yeah we marked it up prior to taking the distributor out. Fitted the unit, replaced it, but We've only done it to TDC. When we have another crack at it tomorrow, I'll try and get it to 10degBTDC, and see if that helps. If not, I'll be at a loss as this has already taken me above my limited knowledge .

 

[Mike1alike]

I'll try and get it to 10degBTDC, and see if that helps.

That should help.
I hope it will work. And I'm waiting your report, this one is interesting.

 

[lazylobster]

got the spark plug leads on the right way around?

 

[GregD101]

Thanks for all your help and advice. Managed to get it all sorted with the help of an AA mechanic. Set it 10deg BTDC, and set the distributor and arm as when I took it off, but still no luck. It worked out, the distributor was well out. With some adjustment, the little beauty fired up. Once she was warm, slight adjustment for a smoother idle and all is good. Thanks again.

 

[the hobbler]

Thanks for all your help and advice. Managed to get it all sorted with the help of an AA mechanic. Set it 10deg BTDC, and set the distributor and arm as when I took it off, but still no luck. It worked out, the distributor was well out. With some adjustment, the little beauty fired up. Once she was warm, slight adjustment for a smoother idle and all is good. Thanks again.

Glad to hear that you are 'up and running' at last. Always feel free to give me a ring , or drop me an e-mail ([email protected]). How far from Chester are you?

 

[Mike1alike]

Set it 10deg BTDC, and set the distributor and arm as when I took it off, but still no luck. It worked out, the distributor was well out. With some adjustment, the little beauty fired up.

It was probably a little fuel flooded from all previous attempts to start it set to TDC.
Great that it's working in the end!

 

[thepuddlejumper]

Hi installed a wasted spark system in my Panoramica. It started up and ran really smoothly but today it was really lumpy, do I need to install a ballast resister and if so how do you wire it in.

 

[the hobbler]

Hi installed a wasted spark system in my Panoramica. It started up and ran really smoothly but today it was really lumpy, do I need to install a ballast resister and if so how do you wire it in.

Whether a ballast resistor is needed, or not, depends on the coil that you are using. Most (if not all) of the "twin-outlet" coils used for this set-up do NOT require a ballast resistor

Hi installed a wasted spark system in my Panoramica. It started up and ran really smoothly but today it was really lumpy, do I need to install a ballast resister and if so how do you wire it in.

Just had another look at your photos Greg---PLEASE remove that fuel-filter. Not only is not required, but if it should leak, it is right over the alternator, and petrol dripping onto an alternator is a recipe for a fire. That filter is probably putting a 4th filter into the system---you already have one in the 'tank-unit' + 1 in the top of your fuel-pump + (possibly)1 in the top of the carburettor.

 

[GregD101]

Whether a ballast resistor is needed, or not, depends on the coil that you are using. Most (if not all) of the "twin-outlet" coils used for this set-up do NOT require a ballast resistor

Just had another look at your photos Greg---PLEASE remove that fuel-filter. Not only is not required, but if it should leak, it is right over the alternator, and petrol dripping onto an alternator is a recipe for a fire. That filter is probably putting a 4th filter into the system---you already have one in the 'tank-unit' + 1 in the top of your fuel-pump + (possibly)1 in the top of the carburettor.

Hello mate, i wasn't aware of this. She's going in for some mechanical work, so I'll get that removed.

 

[thepuddlejumper]

I thought that but I was talking to a guy with an immaculate 126 at a show in the Summerlee museum in Airdrie and he said he couldn’t get his to run until he fitted one. I’ll persevere and check the funeral and ignition systems, thanks for the quick response.

 

[the hobbler]

I thought that but I was talking to a guy with an immaculate 126 at a show in the Summerlee museum in Airdrie and he said he couldn’t get his to run until he fitted one. I’ll persevere and check the funeral and ignition systems, thanks for the quick response.

"The puddle jumper"----do you mean the "fuel" system, or have you come up with a new "end of line" propulsion system?

 

[thepuddlejumper]

"The puddle jumper"----do you mean the "fuel" system, or have you come up with a new "end of line" propulsion system?

Yes fuel, prescriptive text, I should always check before posting.