vauxhallviva.com

Have new coil to fit to my viva. Having trouble understanding the three choices I've been given to wire it up.
1. When used to replace a standard 12v ignition 3 Ohm coil it should be wired as diagram 1
2. When used to replace a Ballast coil with external Ballast resistor use diagram 2
3. When used to replace a Ballast coil system that has built in Ballast wire. Resistor is not used, used diagram 3

My thinking is 3 until I bypass resistor wire then 2. Is this right or am I way off?
Thanks in advance Moles

If you have an HC the ballast resistor is built into the wiring loom.
If you have an HA or B there is a ballast resistor which goes on one coil connector and the wire from the loom goes on the other end of the resistor.
If you have electronic ignition - HA and B you do away with the ballast resistor on the coil - HC you move the wire on the bulkhead connect from D4 to D5 bypassing the resistance wire in the loom.
The coil you bought - is it "12v" for use with ballast resistor?

I've a Sparkright coil. That comes with a module thing that bypasses points only using them as a switch. I'd post picture but can't get it off my phone

sounds like you need to move the wire D4 to D5 - no doubt someone on here will tell me if its wrong

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=22328

Read this....

So coil problem fixed. But while turning over the engine the other day I noticed smoke coming off the cable that runs from starter to solenoid. Poor earth?

Possibly poor earth, or possibly poor connections on that cable. Worth checking all of the connections in the starter circuit and earth straps etc.