Engine will not start
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: KS
Engine will not start
Hey everyone,
I just rebuilt my engine and with all new parts, i am still having trouble starting it. The main problem was the starter. I bought a brand new one from Summit, but i had it bench tested and it was shot. What a great way to blow $150, huh? Anyway, now i can get it to turnover, fire, but it will not run. As soon as I let go of the key, it dies. If i hold it, it will seem like its running. Do you think it has to do with my alternator? There are 4 or 5 posts on the back, and I don't think that i wired it right. Does anyone know why it won't start? My ignition is MSD 6AL w/ MSD distributor and coil, and i know im getting spark and fuel because it will run if i hold the key. Also, the last thing I would think is maybe it has to deal with the choke. I have an edelbrock 600 w/ electric choke, but i haven't hooked it up. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!
Danny
I just rebuilt my engine and with all new parts, i am still having trouble starting it. The main problem was the starter. I bought a brand new one from Summit, but i had it bench tested and it was shot. What a great way to blow $150, huh? Anyway, now i can get it to turnover, fire, but it will not run. As soon as I let go of the key, it dies. If i hold it, it will seem like its running. Do you think it has to do with my alternator? There are 4 or 5 posts on the back, and I don't think that i wired it right. Does anyone know why it won't start? My ignition is MSD 6AL w/ MSD distributor and coil, and i know im getting spark and fuel because it will run if i hold the key. Also, the last thing I would think is maybe it has to deal with the choke. I have an edelbrock 600 w/ electric choke, but i haven't hooked it up. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!
Danny
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
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From: The hills of No. Calif.
If it will run while holding the key in the start position, but die as soon as you release, you have something mis-wired. The solenoid has a bypass position in it to supply full voltage to older point ignitions while cranking, bypassing the resistor. It would seem that you have your MSD hooked up to that circuit rather than the normal ignition circuit. Ypou don't say what your vehicle is, but from your username I would assume it's a Ranchero? What year? Was it originally a point ignition vehicle? -TD
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From: KS
thanks for your help! I am pretty sure that you got it right. I did wire the MSD to the starter relay where the red wire is there. That makes complete sense too. It is a 79 Ranchero. It originally had the Duraspark II ignition...I think. It had some box that i know was for the ignition. Do you have any idea where i could wire it too then? Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
Yeah, '79 would have had a Duraspark. I had a '72 and converted it to Duraspark.
Look for the wire loom that originally went to the Duraspark control module. There should be a red wire that is hot with the key in the "run" position, check it with a test light or multi-meter, and use that to supply power to the MSD. -TD
Look for the wire loom that originally went to the Duraspark control module. There should be a red wire that is hot with the key in the "run" position, check it with a test light or multi-meter, and use that to supply power to the MSD. -TD
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From: KS
Thanks for your help!! But now i ran into a bigger problem!! I was over anxious and decided to hook it up to the side of the relay where the battery connects to. However, i forgot that it will always keep running. So after i started it and let it run, and took the negative battery cable off of the battery. After putting it back on, the starter solenoid will not longer engage. I can't hear any clicks. Did i burn out the relay? The battery still shows 12.6 volts, so it didn't die. I am not sure what to do. I will try the duraspark wire though! Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
Those solenoids are pretty tough, it's hard to burn one out with what you were doing. Most likely you just have a bad connection somewhere. Check all your cables. Or possibly you disconnected the start wire from the solenoid. You should be able to jump directly from the battery side of the solenoid to the small start terminal on the front and it should crank, provided the starter and cables are good and the connections are clean and tight. -TD
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