Ignition/distributor wiring problem
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Ignition/distributor wiring problem
Recently I started the car and it was drizzling outside, after running for a bit noticed a bunch of smoke came from under the hood, turned off car, found a charred wire that used to be used for electric choke most likely that was spliced into my 12v line leading to distributor, removed that and repaired the splice but car wouldn't start anymore. Found out distributor was no longer getting spark, checked the ground/hot wire leading to distributor and both were fine, ran a line from battery direct to distributor and dist got power fine and started right up no hassle.
So I am not sure where the problem is between ignition wiring to distributor, obviously I can't continue to run a hot line to the distributor all the time since I won't be able to turn the car off that way, all the fuses in fuse block are fine, is there a relay switch or something with the ignition switch I might've burned out?
Or possibly the 12v line is now screwed up and not providing enough current for the distributor?
I don't have an OHM meter to check it and don't really know how to use one, but I'll buy one and learn if that is worth checking.
Update: I hooked up a test light to the 12v line leading to distributor, when the ignition is in the "on" position the light is lit fine, when I turn the key to start the car the light goes off completely until ignition is back in the on position, so obviously when I'm trying to crank the engine that 12v line is dead.
So I am not sure where the problem is between ignition wiring to distributor, obviously I can't continue to run a hot line to the distributor all the time since I won't be able to turn the car off that way, all the fuses in fuse block are fine, is there a relay switch or something with the ignition switch I might've burned out?
Or possibly the 12v line is now screwed up and not providing enough current for the distributor?
I don't have an OHM meter to check it and don't really know how to use one, but I'll buy one and learn if that is worth checking.
Update: I hooked up a test light to the 12v line leading to distributor, when the ignition is in the "on" position the light is lit fine, when I turn the key to start the car the light goes off completely until ignition is back in the on position, so obviously when I'm trying to crank the engine that 12v line is dead.
Last edited by BadKoopa; Mar 1, 2012 at 08:09 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Choke Joke
Here is the Choke symbol in case you can’t locate the one under your hood:
There are several wires in the choke circuit however the wire that was used for the improper fix for your car was probably the 18 AWG brown wire.
The wire size required is 12 AWG or better.
Now do the following:
Using a voltmeter or test light (the type for testing for voltage, not a continuity tester) probe the 12 gage pink wire out of the steering column when the key is in the RUN position.
Is there power there?
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Spin Me This Week . . . I’ll Spin You Next Week
.
There are several wires in the choke circuit however the wire that was used for the improper fix for your car was probably the 18 AWG brown wire.
The wire size required is 12 AWG or better.
Now do the following:
Using a voltmeter or test light (the type for testing for voltage, not a continuity tester) probe the 12 gage pink wire out of the steering column when the key is in the RUN position.
Is there power there?
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Spin Me This Week . . . I’ll Spin You Next Week
.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5
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Re: Choke Joke
The pink line leading from the steering column gets power until I turn the key to run position, completely dead in run position. Going to check the point where the pink line comes in from the firewall since it connects to a big wire block and see if it's doing the same from there next.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Re: Ignition/distributor wiring problem
Since power is lost completely when the ignition is in RUN position for the pink wire running from the steering column I assume there is a problem with the ignition switch? I really don't want to spend more money to replace it since it was new the last time I replaced it and didn't really drive the car much at all since then. But who knows what happened when I started the car during rain, might've shorted something out in steering column to ignition switch, if anyone else has any other theories I'm all ears.
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