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Mondial doesn't like the dark

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by NC Mondial, Oct 14, 2004.

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  1. NC Mondial

    NC Mondial Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 6, 2004
    357
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Paul Stahl
    #26 NC Mondial, Jun 18, 2005
    The cause is still there but I have finally cured the symptoms. Using a relay to bypass the wiring between the ignition switch and the coils/Digiplexs cured 80% of the poor running with the lights on but, as explained earlier, the car would not turn off. That problem along with the other 20% was cured by splicing a rectifier/diode in the wire going from the ignition switch to the alternator.

    Apparently the rectifier in the alternator has gone bad and was allowing current to flow back to the ignition switch. As that wire and the two wires going to the ignition (coils & digiplexs) are joined at the switch, the current continued on back to the relay and was keeping the trigger energized, hence the engine would not turn off with the key. I guess I could have pulled the alternator but splicing in the rectifier near the switch was INFINATELY easier and can easily be undone if I ever have to pull the alternator for rebuilding.

    Why did the car turn off OK with the original wiring? My guess is that the current flowing backward was not enough to operate the digiplexs and coils but was enough to keep the relay energized.

    Thanks to all who offered suggestions and moral support during the 8 months I have been chasing this issue.

    Paul
     
  2. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
    15,291
    FL / GA
    Full Name:
    Bill Tracy
    #27 BT, Jun 19, 2005
    This is one of the most interesting threads I have read here at Fchat. Almost all this electrical talk is way over my head, but I like the fact that an owner found a solution to a difficult problem to solve. It must make driving at night a special event now! Great that you have a solution instead of a 'mostly' operational car.
    BT
     
  3. abarre

    abarre Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2003
    295
    #28 abarre, Jul 13, 2006
    I have recently had similar problems in my 3.2 Mondial. This happened a few months ago. Took it to the shop and had all plugs replaced. Problem solved. Or so I thought....

    I drove the car a couple weeks ago. Came home and left the parking lights on. Drained the battery (Optima dry/gel) down. Recharged it fully using a trickle charger. Today, the engine started fine, idled fine for about two minutes then started running rough and missing.

    Took it out for a drive to see if maybe a plug had fouled while idling. Under 2750 RPM's and partial gas pedal it sputters and bucks and stumbles. Then clears up and pulls hard to redline. If I downshift to above 2750, no problem. Under 2750, it's rough again under load. Idle is terrible always.

    Haven't tried letting it cool to see how it does.

    Unlike NC Mondial (who started this thread) I didn't have my lights on at any point during the drive.

    Haven't even tried to diagnose yet, but I don't have an alarm system in the car....

    Any ideas?
     
  4. Javelin276

    Javelin276 Formula Junior

    Jan 16, 2005
    512
    Idaho
    Full Name:
    Thor Zollinger
    #29 Javelin276, Jul 14, 2006
    No ideas come to mind, but I can offer up a 14-page wiring diagram for a Mondial 3.2...
    It's on the bottom of my website front page here:
    www.JavelinArt.com
    Thor
     
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