Distributor to Coil

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DiverJim
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Location: Plymouth

Distributor to Coil

Post by DiverJim »

I’m not a trained mechanic and I have absolutely no idea if this is a stupid question. Can I convert the 220 turbo distributor type ignition to a later coil pack ignition? Or, can anyone supply the wiring diagrams for either engines? I now have a fully rebuilt engine in my 220 Turbo but was only getting one spark. Fitted a new cam sensor and all looked fine but it only ran for about five seconds. Now back to just one spark. I’ve got a 620 I’m using for spares and I’m wondering if it’s worth making the ignition swap as I have no idea what the problem is. Any advice would be welcome as I’m completely stuck and have limited knowledge. Thanks 👍🏼
1994 Rover 214 SLi - Deceased
1993 Rover 220 GTi Turbo - Restoration ongoing
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RoverRevival
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Location: Manchester

Re: Distributor to Coil

Post by RoverRevival »

Yes you can but it would mean opening the engine up.

You need replace the inlet cam, injectors, wiring loom and ecu from memory.
Cromp85
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Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2015 10:24 am
Location: Dudley, West Midlands

Re: Distributor to Coil

Post by Cromp85 »

What have you checked so far on the ignition system?
I would think its a lot harder to retrofit the wasted spark system than to work out where the fault lies.
Did the engine run ok before the rebuild?
My Rovers to date:
1995 Rover 216 Coupe in Nightfire red
1994 Rover 220GSI in Tahiti blue
2002 MG ZR 105 in Solar red
1995 214i in Nightfire red
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220 GSi turbo
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Location: The National Forest

Re: Distributor to Coil

Post by 220 GSi turbo »

Sorry, I am a little confused :S
Please could you explain what you mean by "only getting one spark"?

I have the original Rover electrical manual and diagrams here (for the R8 range) and could probably take photos of the relevant pages for you (unless somebody else here already has a pdf version?)
1995 220GSi Turbo: owned for 24 years
1994 216SLi
2000 25GTi

Daily: Honda Civic Type R GT

Previously: 216 Sprint (1988-91)216 Coupe(1993-95) 214SLi(1995-96) 420GSi Turbo L955UKV(1997-2004) 214SEi M884BMR(2004-11) 420GSi Tourer (2005-6) 214 SEi M103BCW(2011-12)
DiverJim
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Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:21 pm
Location: Plymouth

Re: Distributor to Coil

Post by DiverJim »

Thanks for the replies.
So when you turn the car over you get one initial spark from the coil and nothing else. When the new cam sensor was fitted it ran for about 5 to 10 seconds then died now back to only getting one spark from the coil. Replaced coil, plugs, leads, cap, rotor arm, crank sensor.
220 GSi Turbo, any wiring info would be much appreciated. Thanks.
1994 Rover 214 SLi - Deceased
1993 Rover 220 GTi Turbo - Restoration ongoing
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220 GSi turbo
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Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:48 pm
Location: The National Forest

Re: Distributor to Coil

Post by 220 GSi turbo »

OK, I will dig my manual out tomorrow.

If you could PM me your email address, I can send you some wiring diagrams and discuss possible immobiliser issues with you.
1995 220GSi Turbo: owned for 24 years
1994 216SLi
2000 25GTi

Daily: Honda Civic Type R GT

Previously: 216 Sprint (1988-91)216 Coupe(1993-95) 214SLi(1995-96) 420GSi Turbo L955UKV(1997-2004) 214SEi M884BMR(2004-11) 420GSi Tourer (2005-6) 214 SEi M103BCW(2011-12)
Cromp85
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Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2015 10:24 am
Location: Dudley, West Midlands

Re: Distributor to Coil

Post by Cromp85 »

220 GSi turbo wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 7:49 pm Sorry, I am a little confused :S
Please could you explain what you mean by "only getting one spark"?

I have the original Rover electrical manual and diagrams here (for the R8 range) and could probably take photos of the relevant pages for you (unless somebody else here already has a pdf version?)
I have a PDF of the 1992 R8 Electrical manual. Do you both want a copy?
My Rovers to date:
1995 Rover 216 Coupe in Nightfire red
1994 Rover 220GSI in Tahiti blue
2002 MG ZR 105 in Solar red
1995 214i in Nightfire red
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RoverRevival
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Location: Manchester

Re: Distributor to Coil

Post by RoverRevival »

Are you definitely sure it’s only a spark issue?

You have fuel and compression.
DiverJim
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Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:21 pm
Location: Plymouth

Re: Distributor to Coil

Post by DiverJim »

Yes, have fuel and compression 👍🏼
Cromp 85, a copy of that manual could be useful. Thanks. I’ll pm you and 220 GSi Turbo.

Has anyone done that swap before?
1994 Rover 214 SLi - Deceased
1993 Rover 220 GTi Turbo - Restoration ongoing
Cromp85
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Posts: 419
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2015 10:24 am
Location: Dudley, West Midlands

Re: Distributor to Coil

Post by Cromp85 »

PM sent in reply.
My Rovers to date:
1995 Rover 216 Coupe in Nightfire red
1994 Rover 220GSI in Tahiti blue
2002 MG ZR 105 in Solar red
1995 214i in Nightfire red
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