Poor ignition/bad connections?

Good morning All,

Well, the first bit of damp weather and my starting problem has re-emerged. Same problem I had on/off last year where she turns over and I can hear the solenoid clicking away but no firing. Fires fine in dry weather.

I suspect a problem with connections as I have fully charged battery, new coil, starter motor proven, plugs okay and set correct etc.

After 5 minutes of trying this morning the positive battery strap was warm, the earth was warm and a bolt on the battery tray was glowing red hot and smoking!

I connected a jump lead from the battery negative terminal to the engine for a good earth but that made no difference.

I was going to clean up the earth connection from the battery but as the jump lead didn't help I don't think that will fix anything by itself.

What other points (as a bare minimum) do I need to check? Also, what is it about the damp that creates the problem? Is it that the connections are not completely mated and moisture gets in between them? I thought water was a good conductor of electricity! :doh:

Probably related... My Alt light is staying on as well. At higher revs it dulls and almost goes off but 'never' goes fully out, at idle it is on very brightly. Alternator been replaced and it's connections cleaned up when done 6 months ago.

Remake the alternator to block and the battery earth to block connections. If the charging light doesn't go out then I'm afraid its a new alternator (or change the regulator if you feel confident) time.
Water is an excellent conductor of water so it can short out your high voltage electrics very easily - check the plug leads, distributor cap and coil for moisture, use a dispersant spray if necessary. Ensure the coil points downward so that any water getting into the top of the bulkhead runs off. Check the rubber sealing caps on the leads are in good condition and fit snugly. (they have a tendency to ride up on the cable). If in doubt, replace.
Make sure the points gap is ok and the points have no signs of burning or pitting - if they have, replace the condensor. Better still, put electronic ignition in.
The only problems I've ever had with damp were an old, tired set of HT leads and a cracked coil top.

How's this for part of my electrical issues (whilst running): The bonnet prop which was loose was touching the positive battery terminal whilst running and causing major stuttering and stalling (in addition eventually to sparks flying through my air vents). I'd been driving for about 5 miles unable to understand what was going on and eventually realised when the last time I pulled over the positive cable was smoking hot and beginning to melt into the battery! I couldn't for the life of me figure out why until I went to close the bonnet and burnt my hand on the prop! The edge of it then showed obvious signs of where the battery was arcing onto it. There's a lesson learnt! That although I didn't think the lack of split pin and washer on the lower end of the arm was a problem, the fact that it enabled it to move so much really was a problem!

I still have the alt light problem and issues starting from damp but at least I have figured out why it was shutting down whilst driving!