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Re: TR6 died while driving and now won't start

To: Chris Jolly <jollycj@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: TR6 died while driving and now won't start
From: "Robert M. Lang" <lang@isis.mit.edu>
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2005 10:53:11 -0500 (EST)
Hi,

If you have a Pertronix, make sure the magnet is still attached to the
plastic thing. I've seen this happen a lot. I've also seen the rotors fail
dramatically like this... vrrrrrrrrrPOP then nothing.

If you still have points/condenser, I'd double check the condenser.

>From your description, it sounds like an ignition problem.

But you can prove this.

Remove a spark plug. Is it wet? If so, you have fuel. If not, check that
you have fuel to the carbs. Connect the coil output wire from the cap to
the spark plug. Ground the plug and turn the motor over. You should get
lots of sparks across the plug. If not, connect the coil wire from the
coil to the spark plug. Ground the plug and turn the motor over. If you
have a spark, then there's a problem inside the cap. If there's still no
spark, there's proably a problem with the cap, rotor or the
points/condenser.

Note: until you rule things out _don't touch them_. This means don't touch
the timing, don't rebuild the carbs, don't do any of the fancy stuff
first. Check the simple stuff first and figure out: 1. do I have fuel and
2. do I have spark. Then work your way to finding the problem.

Debugging this type of problem is pretty straight forward.

After you've owned a Triumph for a long time, you'll be able to debug the
problem as it happens. For example, I can tell when my condenser is going
south long before it actually dies. And I can replace it in under 5
minutes on the side of the road... after you do the repair 15 or 20 times,
you get good at it.

:-)

30+ years of TR6 ownership has it's "rewards".

rml
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