Just got home from work and was going to wash the 2cv, but now it's snowing heavily So sod it.

Just about to head out the door and head north to Scotland Back in work on Friday afternoon though, so only going to Dumfries & Galloway(which I always by-pass, on my way to/from the Highlands & Islands). As is usual, I'm going in the 2cv(is there any other way to travel? Nope ) Should be good

Just returned from Scotland, the weather was fab and I had the hood open all day On the down side, the manifold has sprung a leak at the head(has blown the gasket out ) I noticed a missing nut, day before yesterday and replaced it, but it's the other side that blowing!! Oh well.

Dropped the 2cv in on Monday for some work. There was a bit of rot in off side corner of boot, on the curved vertical section, now sorted. Also, the manifold was blowing a "gud un", so had the gaskets replaced and an oil/filter change, re-grease of greasing points and adjustment of handbrake.

As mentioned previously, I've had some difficulty with cold starting, so Peter has given the engine a compression test(142psi & 148psi..not bad for 185,000miles!! ). Eventually discovered a strange fault with the coil. Was only firing on one side, so only the one cylinder was firing up! Changed it for another coil and Bingo! Fired up immediately. Reconnected my coil and again, it fired up. Left it till next day, the problem reoccurred, so it's a dodging coil Think I'll invest in one of those ECAS super coils, for a Harley.

Hopefully get her back tomorrow morning, can't wait now

Well!! Got the 2cv back this morning and what a difference It's so smooth and quiet at tick over now, it's difficult to know if the engine is running. Seems the cold starting issue was the wires on the ignition barrel being connected wrongly, so the starter motor was taking more than the lion's share of the power, leaving little for the coil/plugs. Once started and warmed up, the starter motor didn't need so much power, so the engine would start easier next time.

Thinking of going to Scotland on Monday, if weather is favourable

Jonathan,
whoever suggested that analysis must have skipped class on the day that basic electrickery was covered.

The contact drum on the ignition switch connects all 3 pins together when the key is turned to the 'start' position, so unless there's high resistance on any of the contact surfaces, the outputs to both the ignition circuit and the starter solenoid should receive full battery voltage.

The coil will draw about 3 amps, which is probably more than the starter solenoid takes.

Even though the starter will draw a current measured in hundreds of amps, none of that will pass through the ignition switch contact drum...

ken

No idea Ken, the detail he went into was far beyond my scope, I'm no electrician myself, so I may have the "details" wrong on here. I will say, he did say it may be a "false fix" and I'll just have to see how things go, but judging by the difference this evening, when it had been sat for over 8hrs at work, I'm hoping it's a new dawn. Who knows, if The Doctor's TARDIS can fix it's self, maybe my 2cv can, too

if a black coil fires it fires both plugs does it not?

only one cyl firing then id be tempted to look at plug gaps/leads and tappets

unless its 123 which can fire on only 1 but thats something to do with electronics anticipating when its to fire next time round and a dull battery

Sean

Just heading out the door and pointing the nose of the 2cv north, to the far north of Scotland Looking to travel up the west coast to Cape Wrath and over to John o'Groats. I know the weather is a little inclement this morning and tomorrow, but it's looking good from Wednesday, so it's worth it. Should be back late on Friday. Au Revoir.

Enjoy, and as usual, lots of photos please!