I want to carry a few more spares, has anyone had a problem with lumenition and if so which bit failed and would it have been repairable at the side of the road if you had one!
Thanks
Terry
Hi
I have used the optical units on many cars, the only problem I have had is with the pin connector. I tried to buy a new one from Lumention as the pins bent when I plugged it in. They were not forthcoming so I cut it off and put a standard one on.
I hear the magnetic units that are completely under the dizzy cap are not as good as the magnet fall off.
Jason
Jason
Is this it?
cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lumenition-Distri … 3367247793
Thanks
Terry
Edit - Off course it isn’t! I have now realised the bit you mean, I had the same problem with the pins rusting, cleaned them off , WD40 and all was well again - Terry
I’ve had a Lumenition ignition system on the car for probably 10+ years, nothing ever broke, haven’t touched it.
1969 S4 SE
I fitted a Luminition system 15 years/55K miles ago.
Never had a problem 
Hi Terry
Do take note that the e-bay kit is not for the 23/25 type distributor which was the original fitment on the Plus 2, Elans etc. 43/45 type distributors were supplied as direct replacements so your car might have one of these but parts are not interchangable between the two
Andy
It might do with a drop of oil by now…
I have a 43D 
But this has turned into a very interesting topic … it looks as if they don’t fail very often … if at all!
Hi Folk’s,
Suggest you simply carry a set of points, pig tail and condenser plus the screws of course to fit them.
Tonyw
Thanks Tonyw I think that’s what I will do, anyone know the screw sizes on a 43D from memory?
Terry
I have had the lumenition optical units for 20 plus years in the Plus 2 and Esprit with no problems- carried a set of points and condensor in the glove box in each car all those years but never used them.
cheers
Rohan
If you have to take of the dis cap for any reason, and are a very unlucky or hamfisted you could break one or more of the optical rotors.
My system has never given any problems, but I agree a drop of oil once or twice a year into the guts of the distributor is a good idea. Likewise, I carry points, but I’ve forgotten how to fit them…
Jeremy
PS has anyone tried the Lumention electronic rev limiter? I have a mechanical one fitted on top of the optical rotor, but its a tight fit…
Have one fitted, it was very easy to fit and Susan Miller had it factory preset for me at 6500rpm. I would definitely recommend it!
Hi Terry
Pic attached.
I had a non starting problem with no spark and finally got to this plug, I tried to get another plug from Lumenition but it was a no go. Not sure if I straightened the pins or ended up replacing the plug; defo remember buying a couple of plugs at Maplins.
The only problems I have every heard with these units is the 3 pin plug and a bad earth on the unit casing. I would say they are the most used and most reliable ignition units on the market. I looked at there Magnetronic units as they fit neatly under the dizzy cap but have heard the magnets are prone to fly off at high speed.
Jason
Jason
Thanks for the reply! I had exactly the same thing, the first time the car broke down with a small panicky daughter in the back. Luckily I managed to cokes the car home and then found the problem via …Lotuselan.net! elan-f15/help-required-car-cutting-out-ignition-t17505.html
Looks like the only thing to carry is a set of points etc …but really only for piece of mind!
Thanks to all!
Terry
So why doesn’t everyone fit Lumention??? I’ve heard of lots of problems with 123 or whatever it is?
Can’t speak for others but I’ve stuck with points as they’ve been trouble free over the 30yrs I’ve owned the car. Once adjusted they’ve usually kept their setting and any checking or replacing has been when I’ve got the carbs off or doing something else to the engine so there’s been minimal additional effort. I know “minimal” isn’t zero but I keep hearing about other peoples problems with add-on aftermarket systems (both car and motorcycle) and I’m not sure I want to (potentially) buy into problems.
Stuart - you are one lucky chap!!
When I had points and went on long continental trips, Alps and all, by the time I had done about 1000 very hard miles, the points got a small build up on them and to retain tune I had to regularily sand of the contacts to get them smooth. The loss of power was very noticeable.
20 plus years of Lumenition and no problems since…
Don’t grow up too quickly…
David
Hi All
I must be unlucky. I had Luminition on my +2 and after a long period of inexplicable failures (the engine would just stop and after a short pause I could restart it) the electronic module packed up totally. I have been running with standard points ever since.
The moral of the story is carry a set of points etc to get the car going if your electronics pack up.
Andy
Because the little silver box is ugly. Most of the people I speak to that have not used the optical system the reason is because they wanted the car to look original. I know one guy that fitted the Magnetic system after I told him the magnets fly off; one week in and car broke down magnets had detached. His garage said they had never had a problem with them before! They fitted a replace unit and sent the broken one back and he has been driving it for at least 4 years now without problem. So maybe it was a bad batch of glue?
I’ll stick to the ugly silver box.
Jason