ignition switch going bad

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Apr 15, 2012 | 09:06 PM

logcabinford

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ignition switch going bad

I have a 79 f150 with a 400 and the ignition switch keeps going out in it. I removed an MSD ignition and went back with a duraspark ignition after the MSD crapped out on me. After a few months now it is going through ignition switches, the last one made it for 10 miles before the truck stars losing spark and eventually dies. I can hook a jumper up from the battery to the positive side of the coil and the truck starts. So I am wondering if it could be the ballast resistor causing the ignition switch to go bad or a short somewhere else in the system. Any help would be appreciated.

Apr 16, 2012 | 01:21 AM

PapaBearYuma

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From: Great American SouthWest

If you're blowing modules and switches, I'd guess the problem is elewhere. (Yeah, I know, Captain Obvious)

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Originally Posted by logcabinford

Apr 16, 2012 | 05:24 PM

logcabinford

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I guess the hunt is on, and I hate hunting electrical problems even though these older trucks have way less wiring to sort through.

Apr 16, 2012 | 08:41 PM

77 1/2 F250

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I'd disconnect the battery and start looking for shorts to ground in the positve side of the circuit. Particularly anywhere the wires go through the firewall or run closse to metal.

Robert

Apr 16, 2012 | 09:14 PM

logcabinford

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That is the plan for Friday. Its either that or just start running new wires, either way I really dislike chasing wiring problems. I was just hoping someone would have a easy miracle fix.