[Healeys] Ignition/starting problems again!!!!

[BJ8 Healeys]

Derek, you can remove the original cutoff switch and connect the battery
ground cable directly to the chassis.  You can disconnect the white/black
wire at the switch, but you still have to have it connected at the coil if
it shares the terminal with the white/black wire that goes from the coil to
the distributor.  That what I have done to my BJ8 and it has been that way
for 10 years now.  The white/black wire is still in its normal place, it's
just not connected to the switch in the boot.  Unless both ends of the wire
are connected to something, the wire won't be doing anything but lying there
and going along for the ride (when you get the car started).

If your starter is spinning the engine but the car won't start, then the
starting problem is likely some component in the distributor (points out of
adjustment, the cloth-covered low-tension wire inside the distributor cap
shorting out or broken, bad rotor, bad condenser).  It might be the coil,
but I would bet on the distributor.

Steve Byers
HBJ8L/36666
BJ8 Registry
Havelock, NC USA

-----Original Message-----
From: healeys-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Derek Job
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 6:39 AM
To: Forum
Subject: [Healeys] Ignition/starting problems again!!!!

To get to Silverstone I removed the FIA switch from the circuit and the car
started and run perfectly for three days. On tuesday I installed the proper
length battery cable as I have now eliminated the old starter solenoid. I
also put new connectors and heat shrunk all the terminals. I reinstalled the
FIA switch. Everything works except the car won't start, no spark.
After checking everything and all permutations of the switch terminals
without success I decided to remove it from the circuit again just like I
did previously. This time however the car wont start, no spark. I am now
starting to think its the coil packed up however there is that stupid
black/white wire and the possibility of a fauly cut out switch in the boot.
As I want to remove this switch anyway, and at the same time remove the b/w
I am assuming all I have to do is remove the switch and bolt the battery
cable to the chassis. Can I then also remove the b/w wire from the coil
without any problem.

At present all electrics work, there is 12 volts at the distributor, the
battery is still turning over the high torquestarter very quickly, but the
car wont start. There is some little gremlin in there somewhere or the coil
has given up.

any thoughts

Derek