Re: [DML] car mysteriously died

[Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxx>]

Hi Andy

The ignition coil cannot take 12v, so the feed to the coil passes 
through those two resistors. However as we all know, cranking causes the 
voltage on the battery to drop - maybe to as low a 6-8v when not fully 
charged. And of course when cranking, the one thing you really want is a 
decent spark! So, the purpose of that relay is to short out one of the 
two resistors giving the coil more of the available voltage to create a 
spark. The supply to the relay comes strait from the starter solenoid. 
John Hervey has a diagram on his website but I think it isn't 100% correct.

However, open or closed, that relay should not affect the coil getting a 
feed.... the only thing I can think of is that there's something 
seriously terminally wrong with that relay and it's grounding your coil 
feed!

I suggest you cut off and re-crimp all the connectors going to the 
ballast resistors, and clean up all the contacts. Also replace that 
relay. I have a nice new sealed plastic one with integral blade fuse at 
5A. My car now starts much better, especially on a damp morning.

BTW all through your post I was thinking "fuel pump" until you noted 
that it started and shut down fine. This tells you immediately that the 
RPM relay is working correctly, which was my first guess based on your 
symptoms.

Martin
#1458
#4426

Soma576@xxxx wrote:

> then checked my ignition wires again and 
> i pulled the relay out of the socket which is right next to the ignition 
> resistor. then i tried starting the car and this time it ran and didn't 
> quit! i drove it home.
>
> any idea if this relay was coincidence? what does it do? any other ideas?
>
> Andy