MG Car Repair: fuel pump on 76 Midget, electric pumps, fuse box

Question
In following up to the fuel pump question and response...I was asking abut
replacing the coil because there does not appear to be any current coming off
of the coil. I have had the Midget three years and have been able to address
every problem that has come up using a hayes manual to guide me...I have
not been able to solve this one...partially because the manual does not
contain the specifics of the car...for examplle the coil is different and the fuel
pump (electric, installed above the rear axle) appear to be an aftermarket
solution that did away with the choke.

I can get power to the fuel pump only when I connect directly to the
battery...no power from the fuse box nor the coil.

Also, the wiring should defiitely be replaced all together, but I d not have the
time (and perhaps the know how) to take on such a project.

The car is a fun diversion for me and my children on the wekends.

Thanks,


Mike

Answer
Mike, you have a misconception about a fuel pump and choke. They have nothing to do with each other. A choke supplies a richer mixture to the engine when cold starting and a fuel pump (electric or mechanical) only supplies fuel to the float chamber and has no other function.
The power supply for a fuel pump can be supplied by any "Ignition on" power supply. If you power it direct to the battery, you will have to have a pump switch to turn it off when you turn the car off or you will burn the pump up just leaving it on all the time. Not to mention the possible burning the car to the ground.
The factory (on MGs that came with electric pumps often used the (power) side of the coil because that is a (ignition-on) power supply.
Howard