[Bmcu] Distributor points melted (82' Mini)

[Dylan Thurston]

To answer a few of the responses:
Yes i changed the the condensor.
It doesn't seem to be a short (or the lights would have burnt out as well)
The pump is a mechanical pump so no wires to speak of near it that might
have been josseled.
One theory that my mechanic has is possibly the alternator. but we can't
really test the voltage on it until i get in the electronic ignition
conversion kit (or new points). The yahoo answers suggesstion is worth
checking out although it basically says that we need a ballast and adding
ballast resistor is limits the current too much so that it doesn't spark.
Also the coil is brand new so i'm not confident in that post (but i'll check
it out none the less. Thanks for all of your help.
-Dylan

On Wed, Apr 21, 2010 at 07:45, DUFF LAWSON <duff_lawson at msn.com> wrote:

>  Hi Dylan,  I found the following Q&A on Yahoo
> http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070404101258AANObcQ that
> sounds similar.  You might give it a try.  GGDuff
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Dylan Thurston <dylan.thurston at gmail.com>
> *To:* BMCU <bmcu at autox.team.net>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 20, 2010 10:52 PM
> *Subject:* [Bmcu] Distributor points melted (82' Mini)
>
>
> ** Check out http://britishmotorclub.org  **
>
> Ok so i've had a huge series of problems with my mini. It all started with
> replacing my fuel pump, which lead to the ignition coil burning out, the
> starter solenoid and fuse box needed to be resoldered. Most of these things
> were completely unrelated(as far as i can tell) they all just happened at
> the same time. My latest problem was with spark. The distributor wasn't
> working so i replaced the points and condenser. Ran fine for about 30sec
> and
> died. So we added a ballast resistor but that prevented it from stating at
> all. When we removed it again it ran for about 30 seconds and died. This
> time however we found that the blue plastic in the points had completely
> melted. My mechanic (who's been doing all of the work) is completely
> baffled
> as to what could be causing the points to melt, like this especially in
> such
> a short time. My mechanic set the points several times and he assures my
> that there are very few people as experienced/skilled as him with adjusting
> old mech ignition systems. Does anyone here have any idea what might be
> causing something like this. I've gone ahead and ordered an electronic
> ignition conversion kit, new coil, and spark wires from mini mania. I just
> wanted to check to see if anyone might recognize a problem so that i don't
> break something else when doing the conversion.
> -Dylan
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