Earlier today I sent the following message to Charlie B. using
his 1996 email address. I couldn't reach him so I'm forwarding
my questions to the list in the hope of reaching CB or someone else
with knowledge of the Spit 1500 electronic ignition and coils. This
is a followup to my post a few days ago about the Lucas sport coil.
Thanks to those who helped me with that question.
Tim Gaines
>
>Charlie B.,
>
> Are you still out here? Back in May of 1996 you answered a
>question from Jersey A. about his problem with hot running coils
>and his Crane ignition system in a Spit. I printed it out because
>it was so informative, and now I have a few additional questions. I
>thought I would try you first if you don't mind.
>
> I have a 1980 Spit 1500 with a Lucas electronic ignition--the one
>with the amplifier module sitting up next to the brake MC. The
>dpo was a mechanic, but I'm not sure how expert he was with Triumphs.
>Anyway he had removed the emission control stuff and messed around
>in a few other places, but on the whole everything worked fine when
>I bought it (about 8 years ago) and still does. Recently I had
>a problem with the engine cutting out at high speed so I have taken
>the opportunity to check a few things. I am pretty sure the problem
>is with the fuel pump, but in checking the coil out (following some
>of your advice from 1996) I find that there is 12v at the coil with
>the ignition switch on (not while starting). There is also a white
>and yellow wire with a spade connector which had been disconnected
>and wrapped up. Another old post I copied suggested that this wire
>was the original connection to the coil and would incorporate the
>ballast resistance wire to provide 6v at the coil. When I put the
>white and yellow wire on in place of the other I still got 12v. So
>it doesn't appear that there is a ballast resister in the wiring.
>The coil is a Lucas and looks to be just a regular (perhaps original)
>coil; not a sport coil.
>
> Another thing, before I get to my questions, is the drive resister.
>It is still mounted down front, near the alternator, but has only one
>of its two spade connectors actually connected. There is a blue/white
>wire from the amplifier module (as shown in my manual), but the white
>wire which should be connected to the other side of the resister is
>shunted somewhere else (I think right back to the coil).
>
> So here are my questions.
>
>1) Is there a way to check my coil to see if it has internal ballast or
> to see if it is a 12v coil.
>
>2) If it is just a 6v coil without ballast, it shouldn't be in my
> ignition system as it is now set up, right? But everything has been
> okay for years!
>
>3) Is the drive resister really in the circuit?
>
>4) I'm thinking about putting a Mallory 40,000v coil in. It is
> supposed to be okay for all ignition systems and comes with its own
> ballast resister. Do you know anything about them? And I'll still
> need to get the drive resister right.
>
> I hope this isn't too much bother for you. Any insight you can give
>me will be greatly appreciated.
>
>Tim Gaines
>Clinton, SC
>mtgaines@cs1.presby.edu
>
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