You say nothing about the battery, or whether 'not starting' means 'not
cranking' or 'cranks but won't start'. If it cranking but not starting then
forget about the alternator until you do get it running. If it isn't
cranking then don't bother with the alternator or distributor until you get
the battery charged and it *is* cranking. Then start chasing down fuel and
sparks if it still doesn't start. You might like to have a look at the web
site below - select 'Spanners', 'Electrics' and 'Won't Start' for some
step-by-step instructions on starting, and 'Alternator/Dynamo' on charging.
There should be a green/purple going from the brake light switch in the
engine compartment all the way back to a 4-way connector in the boot/trunk,
and from there to the two light clusters. If you can find the wiring in the
engine compartment disappearing into the loom then a PO might have cut back
the wire in the boot/trunk to the edge of the loom tape.
PaulH.
----- Original Message -----
From: William Killeffer <wtkilleffer@tn.freei.net>
To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2000 4:05 AM
Subject: not starting
> Hello,
> A little background:
> I replaced the alternator on my 74 MGB when it stalled and refused to run
> properly and then drained the battery. The alternator I started using had
a
> slightly different connection than the original and I modified the
connector
> to match. This did not solve my problems as the car refused to start. I
then
> replaced the coil and found an alternator that was the same as the
connector
> on my car. It still won't start. The car is getting fuel and the valves
are
> opening and closing, which probably rules out fuel pump trouble and broken
> timing chain. The spark plugs were coated in a gas-smelling residue and
> would not spark when a friend turned the starter and I held them close to
a
> ground. The distributor parts look new. Is it possible that I ruined
> something with the other alternator? The choke is not hooked up yet, and I
> haven't tried to tune the carbs yet. I have driven this car twice without
> incident, but the third time it misbehaved, prompting my parts spree.
> Also, a simplified schematic I saw on mgcars.org showed the brake lights
> plugging into a green and purple wire that runs from under the hood to the
> back of the car. The only green and purple wires I see in the trunk
anywhere
> are attached to the light fixture. None are coming out of the wiring
> harness. I know you all are tired of my brake light questions, but this is
> what I see and as a newbie, it is the best way I know to explain it. Which
> wires should I plug those green and purple wires into?
> Thanks for your help,
> William Killeffer
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