I have a problem with my '81. I'll try to expain in as much detail, as there seems to be gremlins at work, and I can use some help identifying them.

While cleaning my car at a car show, the alarm went off, horns a blairring. I put my key in the ignition to shut it off, and it did not respond, the horn kept honking, until it finally killed the battery (or so it appeared). When I turned on the key,nothing happened, the car would not start. We tried to jump the car, still nothing. Then a few guys gave me a push start, and the car started. I turned the car around, so it would be easier to push then turned off the motor expecting it would need another push to start again after the show was over. But after the show was over (about 2 hours later) the car started right up. I drove it 45 miles home without a problem. At least with 1 weird problem, the FM side of the aftermarket radio did not function, and the memory presets on the radio vanished, and will not function at all.

2 days later while driving the car died a couple of times, but started right up. I turned off the radio (yes I was down to the am side), and the car seemed to run ok. At least for a short while, it died again later that afternoon on a bridge during comute traffic!), and I had to be towed home. I replaced the coil & cap with an older set I had, and the car fired up. The next morning I drove the car around a while, then went to fill up at the gas station, I turned off the motor, and again it would not start. It finaly started after about five minutes, and I drove it home. It has not started again yet, and it has been about a week.

What I have done up til now:
1) Replaced the igniton coil, cap rotor, & module with new parts.
2) Disconnected the radio, hoping to find a gremlin there somewhere. There is not constant power from the wire that was connected to the battery side of the radio (which should keep the presets active), and this wire has very low voltage reading .1 with the key on, and 0 with the key off. I suspect that there may be a short here somewhere, but the wire goes into the harness, and I am not sure of where it connects to the fuse block.
3) The horn does not work now - replaced the horn relay in the center console.
4) I have not changed the pick-up coil, but I am getting normal ohm readings when tested across the white & green wires at the module.

Sorry for the long narrative, but I wanted to get the best picture out there that I could. I have got our big car show this Sunday, and I have to have the car up and running by then or I'll never live it down.

HELP PLEASE!!!!

Thanks in advance!

 

Sounds like intermitent connections to me, Not a Short. Shorts blow fuses and burn wires. Look over the firewall connection behind the fuse panel. Look at the connections on the starter. Your first clue is the voltage reading on the radio wire. Make a cheap test light with a brake light bulb, connect it to the wire and wiggle connections until it lights up bright.

 

I think you may need to replace your ignition switch. All the problems you described can be traced back to the ignition switch. It controls the 12V the ign gets, and it controls the alarm and the radio. I'd bet that changing out that ignition switch behind the cylinder will solve the problems. Anyone else?

 

Isnt the alarm on and off in the door lock switch and doesnt this car have a starter interupt relay?Is the alarm stock or did I miss that?

 

Durango that ign switch is on the column under the dash.I think he didnt get the alarm relay reset using the door lock alarm switch.That jump starting and pushing could have done more damage.

 

I guess it could be an alarm causing the issues, maybe a sticky relay...but unless the kills spider all through the car's 12V constants...like to the stereo...he wouldn't so many symptoms from the same problem.

 

The radio fuse is part of the alarm on the 81 plus a theft fuse-I dont like this system-when it screws up it usually takes out the controller

 

Well if the alarm really is causing all his issues then he'll have a fairly easy time at fixing it. Replace the alarm relays and fuses.

 

Its funny I was just looking at the manual in the troubleshooting of the alarm.At the bottom of all 6 conditions it tells you to replace the controller.I havent bought one in a long time but I bet their not cheap if you can find one. edit He really did try to turn the alarm off with the wrong switch.

 

Yes it is the factory alarm. I did try the door lock first, which did not reset the alarm. Where is the alarm relay located?

Thanks.

 

the starter interupt relay is in the console-has purple wires going to it

 

You have another switch on the pass door---these switchs are very sensitive-if you wiggle the key past center it will turn the alarm back on.-once the alarm is triggered the ign key will not shut it off-only the door switchs

 

Looks like I am going back into the center console! Thanks!

 

I'm sure you checked all your fuses but if you didnt-do.Good Luck

 

Yes, check all the fuses before I logged on here. Also the instrument panel lights are not working, is there another fuse for this other than the fuse block?

 

Make sure you use a 12v test light to test fuse while its in the fuse block.The 7.5 inst. lamp fuse is fed from the headlight switch rheostat.In other words with your test light on the fuse-switch on-rotating the ****(rheostat)will dim and brighten your test light.Does yours do this?

 

I don't like that alarm system at all.

 

You must have looked in the book.Its pretty crazy and too involved for what it does.It ties into too many other circuits.

 

No kidding, it goes EVERYWHERE. If I ever own a Vette with that system it's coming out and being replaced with a better mroe modern system.

 

Now Now Now N.C.R. S. could be watching!!! Hey did you catch the thread over on General where they were talking about you?