Just got my car to run today for the first time in 12 years. My problem is that it will start when the key is turned all the way to start, but dies when the key is turned away from the start position. The alternator is dead, and removed from the car if that helps. I tried putting it back in just to try to complete the circuit but that didnt work. But maybe its so far gone that theres something wrong internally. Any insight?

 

does it grind when you leave the turn key on? and at what revs?

 

this is my just theorizing.... problem might be there's not enough spark or fuel reaching the cylinder to turn the piston by themselves... meaning that the starter is turning your engine and running at the same time... but how long can the engine last on with the key on and what noises or anything in particular?

 

Bad ign switch? Do you have power on the pink wire coming out of the switch when in the 'on' position?

 

Definitely combustion happening (its loud, theres no exhaust). No grinding, it runs decently so long as the key is turned. Changed oil recently, new starter, new gas tank and fuel pump, new spark plugs and wire set, new battery, so any and all of those can be eliminated. Getting a new alternator so I'll see if that changes anything.

 

Sounds to me like your ignition switch on the steering column is too far back

 

So how can you have the key in the START position without the starter being operated ????

it won't
As noted by others above ;
it appears you are not getting power from the Ign switch in RUN ; switch faulty or out of adjustment

Run a temp wire from Batt Pos to the coil Pos terminal and see if it stays running;
if it does you have confirmed a problem with the Ign switch
( you know the wiring from switch is OK because it runs in start position which uses same wire to coil)

 

[QUOTE=vetteoz;5264043]So how can you have the key in the START position without the starter being operated ????

I was unsure what was meant by 'grinding', yes the starter functions when I put the key in start. Thanks for the tips. (:

 

If the starter is working ( trying to engage ) when the the engine is running you will have a serious grinding noise from the starter gear hitting the moving flexplate

If no noise from starter with engine running ;then it may be the switch is actually in the RUN position but by being out of adjustment puts the key closer to START position

 

Sorry I'm back. If the switch is in ON when I turn to start, shouldnt the starter never engage in the first place?

 

New info: Even when I leave the key at start, it still dies after a few seconds. Also, the engine won't start unless I let the fuel pump run for a bit. Which leads me to believe that the engine is not receiving enough fuel on a constant basis. If I let the pump run for a bit, it has enough fuel to start, but when that gets burned off, it dies. My injectors and fuel pump also remain on even after the key is removed. The only way to turn them off is to unhook the battery. However, this behavioral pattern will not recur until I try to start the engine again. So I have a variety of problems at this point.