Car keeps dying

[69clone]

What would cause my engine to die when I let go of the key? It runs fine as long as the key is held all the way on, but as soon as I release it it dies. Sometimes it will run for a few before dying but it always dies. I also notice that when I hold the key my tach,volts,gas gauge don't work.

Thanks,
Nick

Well I believe it is my ignition switch.

 

[ram250098]

It could the switch. How many volts do you have at the coil? I had that problem, the coil was not getting enough power.
Al

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

Typical symptom of an open ballast resistor. Check it before messing with the ignition switch.

 

[69clone]

Typical symptom of an open ballast resistor. Check it before messing with the ignition switch.

Thanks, I thought about that. Someone told me they will keep your car from running when they go bad but my dad kept telling me it was the ignition switch :icon_hang: I'll go see if I can find one tonight... btw if it is the ballast is there a way to test it? If I test the volts or something?

~Nick

 

[Histoy]

I think that you can use a jumper wire across the 2 wires connected to the ballast resistor. If it runs with the jumper wire in place, replace the resistor.

 

[72 Charger SE]

I'd say ballast resistor too. When mine went it was noticeably burned on one half (dual ballast resistor.) I was back on the road in less than 5 minutes since I always carry a spare after having one go bad in our truck as kid while we were out in the woods.

 

[69clone]

Well I'm not sure it's the ballast resistor, couldn't find one. We took the ignition out I tested all the connections seems fine but still doesn't run, so we decided to connect the ign 1 and ign 2 together and it runs perfect! Ign 1 is run and ign 2 is start? At least that's what my meter told me. Any ideas?

 

[Garys1969RR]

Yea you are now running 12 volts thru the ign system full time. This will fry your points soon, or your ign box. Run a clip lead across the ballast resistor, if it then runs, replace the ballast resistor. If no diff, replace the ign switch. I think its the ign switch. I have a 69 RR , and my ign switch had to be refurbished to work properly. Good luck.

 

[69clone]

Thanks for your help, it actually turned out to be the connection on the firewall! After reading another thread below this I though it was possible and sure enough pulled it off cleaned them put it back on and it started right up. Must of bumped loose, glad I had not ordered a new ignition switch yet.