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Hi,

I'm currently recomissioning my MG Metro after a period in storage. During its time in storage I did turn it over and start it frequently, but now I can't get any spark at all.

I've replaced the plugs, HT leads, coil, dizzy cap, rotor arm and module in a bid to get some sort of spark at the plugs, but still nothing.

Is there anywhere that I may have overlooked? My multimeter suggests that there is power at the coil, but I'm at a loss as to what could be the problem.

A friend suggested it could be the fault of the distributor itself (Lucas 65 DM4), but I'm unsure if it would be the cause.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

well of course it could be the distributor that doesn't work.

with old distributors with points you could check the wire going out of the distributor (the one going to the - terminal on the coil) that this would be grounded once in a while when turning the engine. I haven't tried checking this with the newer distributors like the one you have, but possibly its can still be checked like this.

I guess your car needs a ballasted coil and there for should have 7 volts on the + terminal of the coil when the ignition is on but not trying to start the car. when trying to start the car the coil should have 12 volts. the 12 volt signal sometimes go missing as it comes from a different source than the 7 volts. it comes from a terminal on the starter solenoid (down on the starter). you can check that this small spade terminal outputs 12 volts when you try to start. sometimes this terminal stops working inside the starter but the rest of the starter works perfectly.

Its probably the module on the side of the distributor, they're known for failing,
also check the resister wire to the dizzy, should be around 9 volts, its the
white/pink wire with 'Resister' printed along its length, it gets warm when its on.
Check you have 12v on the wire from the starter solenoid to the dizzy, should show
12v when cranking only, this gives the 9v coil that the car uses, a extra kick only to
start, when you let go of the key from cranking, the resister wire (9v) takes over for
normal running which should be live with ign on, if not, check fuse.