Intermittant ignition?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Woodbury MN
Intermittant ignition?
Hey Guys. Sometimes when I turn the key in my 71 (manual), the car doesn't crank at all. I'm pretty sure that its not making a proper electrical connetion, as my short term remedy has been to run a second wire to the starter. When My car won't crank, I simply put it in neutral, turn the key to on, then connect the other end of my second wire to a hot connection in the engine compartment, thus supplying then necessary power to my starter.
I'd like to pull my steering column to try to determine what part needs to be replaced, but as the problem is intermittant, I'm not sure I'll recognize it right away. Any suggestions on what might be causing this and how to fix it?
Thanks,
Nathan
I'd like to pull my steering column to try to determine what part needs to be replaced, but as the problem is intermittant, I'm not sure I'll recognize it right away. Any suggestions on what might be causing this and how to fix it?
Thanks,
Nathan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 954
Likes: 40
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Don't take apart your column yet.
In 72 the ignition key in the steering column only make mechanic movement inside the column and push a rod inside a large contacts box little bit down on the steering column (under the dash), lot of electric mystery in those cars happen because ground problems.
Check grounds first to the starter/engine and main ground screw.
Do you have ground cable between engine & frame?
Avner
In 72 the ignition key in the steering column only make mechanic movement inside the column and push a rod inside a large contacts box little bit down on the steering column (under the dash), lot of electric mystery in those cars happen because ground problems.
Check grounds first to the starter/engine and main ground screw.
Do you have ground cable between engine & frame?
Avner
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 2
From: Melrose Florida
The ignition switch bolts to the column, it is not unusual for the "last terminal" to fail.
This is what you have described, as you are getting points to the "ignition" (coil and points) by your key-on test, just not to the starter solenoid (switch) unless you add a direct 12v.
The switch is not expensive, and is relatively easy to install. It is underneath the column not quite to the firewall. Sometimes this is the fault of the key switch itself, also a straightforward repair.
Steve
This is what you have described, as you are getting points to the "ignition" (coil and points) by your key-on test, just not to the starter solenoid (switch) unless you add a direct 12v.
The switch is not expensive, and is relatively easy to install. It is underneath the column not quite to the firewall. Sometimes this is the fault of the key switch itself, also a straightforward repair.
Steve
