Reply To: 123 Ignition problem

Apparently the fault was identified but the parts unobtainable, and, anyway, too difficult to fit, in what is a complex double sided board.

Not unexpected I’m afraid from my previous experience. The electronics are quite complex as the123  distributor is pre programmed with different advance curves to be used on a range of cars by a selectable switch on the underside.  (I found the one in my DS had been left on the default Traction Perfo engine one when it wasn’t running well….)

If you can’t get yours repaired economically you could always get a points conversion kit for a manual distributor. Basically you set the distributor up, remove the points and condensor and fit a small electronic unit in it’s place aka the one from ‘Powerspark’ http://www.simonbbc.com/electronic-ignition-kits/citroen-traction-avant-11-ducellier-electronic-ignition

They have an advantage in that they are far cheaper than a 123 and if they fail, you can simply put the points and condensor back in place in a couple of minutes. A kit like that worked fine in my Morris Minor