Several Bundera problems/questions

[Apocalypsse]

oH gods, soo much to do, soo little time. Just so ppl know its an '85 Bundera LX, basic model with no extras. Several problems that I need help with, some from the last 2 days and some from long ago. Lets start!

Went up to Kilmore last night, this morning I went driving around this old railway line and find this puddle about 5m long and not even axle deep. So I decide to go through @ around 20kmh, get through and it stalls, steam coming out of everywhere, doesnt start for another 5 minutes and then have to wait another 5 minutes before I can take off without stalling. This only happened on puddles longer than 5m and at speed anything 20kmh+. Looked round and found a few threads that may help me.

Next. Driving down the Hwy last night, at about 80kmh the engine starts struggling (it was raining pretty hard), similar to the above but with less water. I could hold it around 2500rpm but it sounded like it was misfiring, but not enough to stall it. Would I be right to assume its something similar with the above problem?

Next up. I have 2 old rectangle Hella driving lights, they are wired up correctly and the globes appear intact but they dont work. Could this be an issue with the fuse? Also they arent connected to the headlights.

This one has puzzled me since I got it, how big is the fuel tank? Ive heard 60/70/80/90L, but not sure what it really is. I have pumped just under 80L in it once but it was pretty empty.

Thats all I can think of for now that I want sorted out for my trip to Mt Buller in 2 weeks. Any help with any of these is appreciated.

[Spimon_NH]

The only one I can help with is the lights. Do you have a multimetre? If you don't spend $10 at Bunnings and get a cheapie. That way you can test how far along the line the power is getting (once you learn how to use the various functions you'll find it invaluable for electrical gremlins).
I guess if you don't want to do that the simpliest way is if you have another light (or basically anything that draws current) you can connect. That will at least tell you if its the light or the wiring.

[4runner8]

miss firing due to water- if its petrol it could be any of many thins to do with the ignition side of things. dizzy, leads, plugs, coil, etc

lights-as spimon said use a meter, check wiring, fuse and relay. if they have been installed correctly oit'll have some form of relay, these can have a habit of failing.

hope this helps

[Reddo]

Sounds like water is getting into the electrical system. Check to see that all the plugs are fitted correctly to the spark plugs, and check the connections on the coil, and the coil lead. It sounds like its getting water into it pretty easy, and causing it to missfire.
Id also check to see if the dissy cap is on right.

How long have you had the car?
Has it done this before?
Do you have a mate that knows what she's/he's doing under the bonnet, that you could ask to show you what you "might" be looking for?

If all else fails, and you cant get it fixed, maybe think about booking it in for a quick check up, just for peace of mind....

[Harb]

The nighttime is your friend..........

lift the bonnet in the dark and have a look for spark leakage on the leads dizy cap and coil......you will see sparks jumping about.
Also if you want get one of these spray bottles and spray around in the engine bay on the side where all the plugs dizy plug leads are while watching for spark leakage again.....will show up if there is any....
Also look for cracked dizy cap or coil top etc etc

PS watch your fingers probing around in the dark!!!!

[Reddo]

With the lights, check the fuse (if it has one) and also, check to see if there;
1) Working on high beam,
2) See if there is a second switch, that controls the spot lights, and if so, that its switched on

Most spot light jobs are home grow, so take the time to look around the bay to see if there is a fray in the wiring. Also, look at the battery terminals, as most people take the postive from there, and it could come undone.
As the lads said before, get a meter and see if there getting power, and if they are, well, you could have;
1) a couple of blown globes on your
2) A bad earthing connection on the lights

[Reddo]

....Also look for cracked dizy cap or coil top etc etc......

I'd be leaning away from a cracked dizzy cap, as he hasnt said its done it before, nor when it starts to gets hot, or after prolonged (spelling) use. hehehe :P

[Apocalypsse]

I think I know whats wrong with the lights, the cables connecting to the fuse... well whats left of them, they are hanging on with 1 wire. Globes look intact, infact they look quite new.

Harb, just spray water on it? I dont like electronic ignition especially on flamable things. When you get shocked from a powerpoint when you're young you really wanna double check these things before doing anything that may shock you.