My B has run like a dream for ages. Today whilst out driving i noticed a couple of small jerks, similar to when you run out of fuel (was fine for petrol).
Then indicators stopped functioning, then brake lights. Soon after the car stopped running. Nothing when turning the key.
Couple minutes later, when turning the key, the fuel pump was ticking very quickly, the fuel gauge wasn;tworking and the car would not start.
Then it did start, ran for a while and stopped again.
Now all that happens is the fuel pump ticks madly and the indicators don't always work. Car won't start but most other electrical bits work.
Anyone got any ideas?
Thanks
Non-starting, mis-behaving MGB
Re: Non-starting, mis-behaving MGB
Surely if an MGB's SU fuel pump ticks constantly, the car has run out of petrol? 
Either that or the pump is trying to suck air as a result of a damaged fuel pipe somewhere.
Normal behaviour is a couple of ticks from the points every once in a while but not constantly unless you're driving pretty rapidly and using lots of petrol.
I'd be investigating that to start with, though it's probably not connected with your other electrical gremlins.
Either that or the pump is trying to suck air as a result of a damaged fuel pipe somewhere.Normal behaviour is a couple of ticks from the points every once in a while but not constantly unless you're driving pretty rapidly and using lots of petrol.
I'd be investigating that to start with, though it's probably not connected with your other electrical gremlins.
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
Re: Non-starting, mis-behaving MGB
Sounds like there's a couple of things going on, so you need to get methodical in fault finding. My first point of call would be to disconnect the incoming before the carburettors and have someone switch on the ignition whilst you hold a jar or jug to catch the fuel. With rapid ticking from the fuel pump you should have a healthy flow.
If no flow, you're looking at a pump problem, blocked pipes / filter or just maybe a vacuum building up in the fuel tank. Try unscrewing the filler cap and testing at the pipe coming out of the pump.
If you have flow, temporarily block the line, That should cause the pump to stop ticking, If not, suspect a leak or pump problem. If the pump behaves, reconnect the carbs. If you then get continual ticking, checking the ocarb overflows 'cos it has to be going somewhere!
On the electrical side, the fuel pump is clearly working and whilst indicators etc need to be sorted in due course, they won't stop things working. First check I usually make here is to undo the connection in the wire between the coil and the points (white with a black tracer stripe from memory). Use a meter or sidelight bulb to check it's live when the ignition is turned on.
Hope this helps - let us know how you get on.
Cheers - Jez
If no flow, you're looking at a pump problem, blocked pipes / filter or just maybe a vacuum building up in the fuel tank. Try unscrewing the filler cap and testing at the pipe coming out of the pump.
If you have flow, temporarily block the line, That should cause the pump to stop ticking, If not, suspect a leak or pump problem. If the pump behaves, reconnect the carbs. If you then get continual ticking, checking the ocarb overflows 'cos it has to be going somewhere!
On the electrical side, the fuel pump is clearly working and whilst indicators etc need to be sorted in due course, they won't stop things working. First check I usually make here is to undo the connection in the wire between the coil and the points (white with a black tracer stripe from memory). Use a meter or sidelight bulb to check it's live when the ignition is turned on.
Hope this helps - let us know how you get on.
Cheers - Jez
Re: Non-starting, mis-behaving MGB
I think you have two problems here - as above, the fast ticking fuel pump is either sucking air for some reason (i.e. out of fuel) or is faulty.
The electrical stuff not working has to be something different I'd have thought. The fusebox is rubbish on these, so I'd be straight in there taking the fuses out, cleaning and bending all the contacts and re-assembling. Failing that you're going to have to go round the whole system with a meter - as it's so simple this is easy enough.
Cheers!
The electrical stuff not working has to be something different I'd have thought. The fusebox is rubbish on these, so I'd be straight in there taking the fuses out, cleaning and bending all the contacts and re-assembling. Failing that you're going to have to go round the whole system with a meter - as it's so simple this is easy enough.
Cheers!
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.