David,
(1) have you checked the timing with a timing light? Is it correct and
does the vacuum advance work?
(2) I think it's bad ground at the right tail light. When the lights are
on AND you press the brake, the bad ground cannot support both and the
light goes out altogether.
Ulix
On Wed, 26 Aug 1998 Lancer7676@aol.com wrote:
> OK Guys!! Two problems:
>
> (1) I have previously written this list seeking advice and ideas about my 1979
> Midget's timing. A strange thing has happened. If you recall, the Midget
> idled pretty well and had lots ofpower under load, as when accelerating and
> decelerating. While attempting to maintain speed it missed, backfired, and
> jumped around to a high degree. This morning I drove the car to work and it
> ran the worst it has ever run. Spitting, missing, backfiring, no matter
> whether under load of coasting--little power. Idled pretty well though. I
> parked inthe parking lot at work and went inside.
>
> About 2 hours later, I had occasion to leave the building and hop in my Midge
> to drive somewhere--somewhat dreading the ride due to the missing. Much to my
> surprise it ran perfectly!!!! Not a miss or a pop to be felt or heard. The
> same held after work--ran beautifully--no misses or pops whether under load or
> coasting. Engine sounded great, good pep. Remember I had done NOTHING to the
> engine to effect this turnaround.
>
> At home, I popped the hood to replace the stop light switch, and I noticed
> that the plastic hose that runs from the diaphragm of the distributor to the
> carburetor had come into contact with the exhaust manifold, had melted, and
> had sealed itself on both the carb and the distributor ends. Thus
> accidentally sealing the connection between hose between the carb and the
> distributor improved the running of the engine--in effect taking the vacuum
> advance OUT of the picture made it run better. Does that clinch the idea that
> I need to replace the distrubutor, or is there someting else at play?
>
> (2) The stop lights did not work when I got this Midget. After checking
> everything, it came down to the switch, which proved to be the culprit. After
> replacing the brake light switch with a good one, both brake lights work when
> the lights are off and the pedal is depressed, although the right one is much
> dimmer than the left one. When the Headlights/taillights are on and the brake
> pedal is pressed the left brake light comes on, but THE RIGHT LIGHT GOES OUT
> ALTOGETHER! Anybody got an idea about the cause of this? Lights off, right
> brake light works dimly while left brake light works brightly, Lights on, the
> talilights burn but when the pedal is pushed the right light goes out.
>
> Thanks for any replies.
>
> ----David
> '67 Sprite MKIV, aka, Vicky
> '79 Midget, aka, Taz
>
>
Ulix __/__,__
.......................................................... (_o____o_)....
'67 Sprite
|