Who wants to lay odds on MG sudden death syndrome?

My 1973 Midget suddenly died on my way home from a Greek Food Festival. I was about 3 miles from home when it happened. I pulled over to the shoulder, popped the bonnet and did not see anything immedietely wrong. Turn the key and the car fires right up. This happened a couple of times till I finally got home. Just curious what the odds are of the likely candidates for this behavior. I recently replaced the points with a new coil and a pertronics ignitor.

clogged fuel filter/ rust in the gas tank

bad ignition module

Lucas wiring... enough said

bad fuel pump

Bad Ignition switch

Other?

I was able to drive the car home. I believe my car could honestly sence that I was going to do some very bad things to it if I had to walk.

I think I'd start with the fuel pump. Check its volume and output pressure. As for the Lucas wiring.....grounds, ground,grounds. They are the biggest single cause of trouble in the electrical system. They have to be clean and tight.

x2 on the grounds!

At least 80% of my electrical problems have been ground related.

How did it die?

If it spluttered and misfired before dying, I'd look at fuel first. If fuel is OK go to electrics.

If it was death with no spluttering it's almost certain to be elctrical

For those who guessed electrical... you win! Collect your prize on the way out. :D

The double bullet connector under the dash that carries the ignition circuit went bad. I guess turning the car over, or slamming the door was enough vibration for it to make contact and start again. I love when the problem only costs $0.75 to fix!

Good job, glad you found it...electrickery is always something simple, just not always simple to find!

(tu)

Well here's the pisser! It was both the electrical, and the fuel pump. I got stuck about 50 miles from home on the way to a Pick N Pull. I pull over and check for fuel at the carbs... none! Turn the ignition on and wrap the fuel pump with a spanner... Wala!

At the Pick N Pull there was a 72 midget. There was an original su pump in the boot, and a german pump installed underneath it. Guess which one I grabbed! I was able to score the interior rearview mirror, the boot light lense, the gas cap, and what appeared to be a brand spanking new throttle cable. The 12V engine was there, but it wouldn't spin, so I left it. Maybe I should have grabbed it, but even at 50% off it would have cost over $100.

Anyway I made it home with only a little trouble. I'm gonna test that fuel pump and install it in a few minutes.
John

New used pump is in and car runs great. Thank you everybody for your thoughts and support. Without places like this I would get stranded a lot more often.

Ok, new symptom...carbs are flooding and gas is pooring out the evaporative loss cannister. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the new/used german pump (hugo) needs a regulator.

Update: Holley Fuel Pressure regulator installed, and all leaks appear to be eliminated. I haven't gone on a test drive to see how it reacts yet. Hopefully we have taken care of the flooding and hard start problem.

As a side note... The Chinese made brass fuel fittings suck donkey balls... but that is topic for another discussion.