Triumph Repair: No fire at distributor, ballast resistor, electronic ignition system

Question
I just purchased a real nice 1978 Spitfire with 37,000 actual miles that has not run for about 6 years and has been sitting outside. It turns over good, has a good battery, and a good coil but I am not getting fire from the coil to the distributor cap. It has an "Igniter" brand electronic assy. mounted in the distributor. I need some help!!

Answer
JD,

A problem with the electronic ignition system is that the unit either works or does not work, there's no gradual failure mode.

A simple test to make sure the coil setup is functioning is to pull the coil lead from the distribor cap center and set it where approx 1/8" from grounded metal where you can see it spark (lots of good places near the clutch/brake masters).  Turn on the ignition and pull one of the wires off of the ballast resistor, it should be mounted near the radiator.  If you get a decent spark then it's the ignition system.  If there's no spark then it's time to trace back through the ignition 12V wiring.


Cheers,

Jim