Hi!
I’ve owned my V12 E Type two plus two for 13 years by now. Six years ago, I swapped the original Opus ignition system for an Optronic Lumenition one. A standard one at first, then (one year later) a Competition Energy System as the seller (Autocar Electrical Equipment - London) deemed it more suitable for a V12 engine. That system has worked satisfactorily for these last 5 years.
A few weeks ago though, I experienced severe ignition problems : dead spots on acceleration from 2500/3000 Rpm, difficult re starting when engine hot. Strangely enough, these problems would only occur after the engine had run satifactorily for … say half an hour or so…And therefore had become quite hot,(without overheating though), the tickover remaining quite even. I changed the coil first, as I thought it might cure the problem. For sure it did, but not for long, as by now the situation has reverted to its initial stage. I’ve noticed that the coil and the Lumenition module do become extremely hot when these problems occur, despite the change of location I’ve deviced (at the rear of the engine).
Therefore my questions are :
1° ) Has any fellow V12 E Type jag owner with the same system fitted on his car experienced the same predicament ? I mean (maybe because of current planned obsolescence…)will the optronic module become in the long run more and more over sensitive to heat, as to become faulty at times ?
2°) Has the swapping for a brand new system solved the problem ?
3°) Has this new ( improved ??) Lumenition system proved really more reliable than the older one ?
Of course I’ve asked these questions to Autocar Electrical Equipment, but strangely enough, so far they haven’t bothered to reply, whereas they had before kindly offered me relevant advice for some previous ignition problems. Therefore I don’t know what to think…
Michel Vidal (Nicou) - Royan - France.