Ignition Problem
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Lino Lakes Minnesota
Ignition Problem
Hi guys, I have a 79 L82, 4spd, 350. This problem occurred recently and is persistent. I'll start the car and get it running, but if I turn the headlight switch on and leave it on, then turn the ignition switch off, the car keeps running. I usually drive the car with the running lights on and when I forget to turn them of before turning the ignition switch off, the car keeps running. Turning the light switch off before or after I turn the ignition switch off does shut the car off. As I mentioned the problem is persistent and has been happening for a couple of weeks now.
Can anyone speculate as to what the problem is....ignition switch or headlight switch, or worse??
Can anyone speculate as to what the problem is....ignition switch or headlight switch, or worse??
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 520
Likes: 5
From: Front Range
First guess is alternator feedback through your exciter line. You can install a diode on the exciter line to solve this problem, or install an alternator warning lamp.
see what other people say, and if you want to try this, I can look up some more info. (i.e. Radioshack part numbers)
the blonde weasel
see what other people say, and if you want to try this, I can look up some more info. (i.e. Radioshack part numbers)
the blonde weasel
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Lino Lakes Minnesota
As far as I know the distributor is factory original and I don't know how to tell if it's an HEI. However, before the last couple of weeks, the car was fine and the problem didn't exist. I haven't done anything to the car from an electical point of view prior to having this problem show up. Earlier this spring I did rebuild the front suspension and put new seats and carpeting in. But no engine or electrical tinkering.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Lino Lakes Minnesota
iNdigo, I do have the stock HEI distributor/coil set up. Nothing was tampered with prior to this problem.
Also, I forgot to mention that at the same time my tach went haywire. With car ignition in the off position, I can now pull headlight switch to either "on" position, rotate the switch **** and watch the tach needle move. Intesesting eh?
Also, I forgot to mention that at the same time my tach went haywire. With car ignition in the off position, I can now pull headlight switch to either "on" position, rotate the switch **** and watch the tach needle move. Intesesting eh?
