i have a 72 buick electra 225, ive got some issues with the car recently. It will only start if i run a direct cord/wire from the positive side of the coil to the positive side of the battery. ive looked at all the wires from the starter up, everything seems fine. when i turn the key on the GEN light stays on, ill try to start it and it will just die within a second, i ran a test light to the ignition wire to the fuse box with the ignition on, and nothing. Im thinking its the ignition switch? but i cant even find it, anyways any help advice id appreciate it, thank you ou:
It's very important to differentiate a "won't start" problem from a "won't crank" problem. Which one do you have? You say the car runs if you run a jumper from the battery + to the coil +?
yes it will run when you run the coil straight to the positive side of the battery, Sorry let me clear that up, without jumping the coil to the battery, it will crank and start for about a second. its getting plenty fuel, and fire. it just seems like the ignition kills it, right after you start it
OK, your problem is between the firewall engine harness connection, and the + side of the coil. There is a resistance wire that cuts down voltage so the points last longer. When the starter motor is cranking, full battery voltage is supplied to the coil, but only during cranking. That voltage is supplied by a bypass wire from the starter solenoid. That explains why the engine starts when you crank it, but dies when you let go of the key. Read more about the stock system here: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.p...nd-HEI-System-function-tests-and-modification Then I suggest you unwrap the engine harness, and trace the coil + wire all the way back to the firewall. I think you may find a break in the wire. Test the entire wire with an ohmmeter.
thanks larry i will get right on that, lol ive actually been waiting on your reply, ill let you know how it goes, thanks again ---------- Post added at 12:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:27 AM ---------- well i traced it to the firewall and it still was not getting any power with the ignition on, and i tested where the wire goes into the ignition fuse with the ignition on and still nothing.
Then go further inside the car. The ignition switch is at the base of the column. I just looked at the Chassis manual wiring diagram. Your problem has to be on the engine compartment side. Take apart the firewall connector. look for corrosion, or something broken. That wire should get voltage when the key is in the run position. It has nothing to do with the fuses. ---------- Post added at 01:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ---------- I would also check the ignition switch terminals with a test light. There should be voltage at the battery terminals on the ignition switch.
i got it larry thanks for all the help, it turned out to be the ignition switch, went and bought one from oreilys and changed it out, started right up. and running good. so thank you for all the advice and help
