Check your ground for corrosion.
Insure the low tension wire isn't shorting out inside the distributor
> [Original Message]
> From: Robert C. Atkinson <rca53@columbia.edu>
> To: healeys <healeys@Autox.Team.Net>
> Date: 9/25/04 8:28:28 AM
> Subject: Headlights Kill Engine
>
> I have an electrical problem. Any suggestions on where to start will be
> greatly appreciated. Here's the story:
>
> 1. Coming home from a lousy game of golf on a beautiful late afternoon
> in the Healey (BJ8)...life is good, despite the golf.
> 2. It is getting dark...on go the headlights
> 3. A few miles later, a burning smell...I checked the handbrake and
> discovered it was slighltly on and attributed the smell to over heated
> brakes. But brakes working fine so I carried on.
> 4. A few miles later, the overdrive mysteriously cutsout when I
> decelerate and comes back on with acceleration. I turn off OD then turn
> it back on and no further OD problem.
> 5. Engine dies at stop signal. No starter, no nothing.
> 6. Get a push (uphill) to shoulder, take a look under hood...nothing
> obvious
> 7. Call AAA, discover membership lapsed because I moved...pay $144 to
> re-enlist
> 8. Waiting for tow truck, try the ignition again and get a "click"...
> 9. Local policeman halts traffic so I can coast backward into
> adjacent parking lot
> 10. Coasting into lot, which has long downward slope, I turned on
> ignition, selected reverse and popped the clutch...engine fires and runs
> great.
> 11. Get ready to call AAA to cancel tow...turn on headlights, engine
dies.
> 12. Repeat steps 10, 11 a few times...same result (can't start engine
> with key...there seems to be battery but starter won't turnover)
> 13. Tow truck arrives...
>
> Where to start?
>
> Thanks
>
> Bob Atkinson
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