COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

Anyone have that problem before in a car????? When I go to start my Chevelle it fires right up. As soon a it goes to the "run" position, it stalls. If I keep it on the start position, it will run (with the starter engaged) fine. I put in a new switch down the column (the one the rod goes in) and it does the same thing.
Anyone got any ideas??????
Peter

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

what about replacing the keyed ignition/starter switch itself?

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

Is the ignition key switch in the column the original or a new one? (the new ones are notorious for being faulty - like the one i got that had no accessory position).

If this was a mopar, the culprit would be a burned out ballast resistor on the firewall. Does your wiring harness have a ballast wire or a firewall mounted resistor? The ballast wire could have broken at the terminal connection to the coil.

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

In my youth (16ish) my 66 chevy II had some extra wire in the firewall gutter. so being the &quot;smart guy&quot; [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif[/img] I shortened it up to a respectable length so it was not doubled up in that gutter. Result was same problem &quot;would start but not run&quot;.. Installed ballast resistor with some advice from experienced mech, and learned something about automotive electrics. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/scholar.gif[/img] Sounds like Steve is pointing in the right direction. Dicky [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

That happened to my early corvette. Replaced the ignition switch and it was solved. Maybe your wires at the switch are loose?

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

Definitely the resister wire. They are very fragile and also prone to burning. At least when I have had this same issue on Chevrolets that has always been what the culprit was.

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

Just recently, had the same thing with a Corvette. Drove it, shut it off for 15 minutes..................and dead. When I jumped the ballast resistor (wire in your case) and shazam! All good again!

Tim

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

When our '69 el Camino did that, in our case, the cure was to replace the ignition switch down near the firewall on top of the steering column. The old wiring could be the problem too and you can give it a good check when you have things apart. Changing out the switch isn't that much of a job. A whole new harness is good fire insurance in these old cars.

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

Also,

That igntion switch that mounts on the lower portion of the column has to be adjusted properly to &quot;catch&quot; all the operating positions: acc, off, start, run. If it's installed improperly, or the two tiny monting screws loosen, it can shift out of position, thus preventing the car from running after cranking.

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

Thanks for the reply guys. I'll check out the wiring tomorrow. I did put a different switch on the column, but had the same results. But..... if that wire is burned out (resister) why would it run in the &quot;start&quot; position, but no the &quot;run&quot; position????
Peter

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

The little yellow wire that runs from the solenoid powers the ignition when the key and switch are in the start position. When you release the key, you would be running on the normal ignition switch and the resistor wire running through the rest of the harness. If the ignition switch or the resistor wire is at fault, it could start or run in the start position, but not in the run position.

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

When troubleshooting a no run condition , I always start with a test light at the coil + terminal. With the ignition in RUN position there should be 12 Volts at the + terminal . If no voltage there go to the 12 ga purple wire on the Ign switch and test . If you have power there ,find the open between the two places you just tested . If no power at the switch ,adjust the switch first ,if still no power replace the switch.

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

Purple wire just energizes the solenoid. It does have to go through the neutral safety switch first though. It doesn't really have anything to do with the actual ignition circuit.

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

The power to the ignition is overrode from the starter solenoid. It then gets full battery voltage as opposed to resisted voltage.

Different circut, thus different results.

Tim

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

Thanks guys. So, ...... + side of coil had 10 volts in the start position, but 0 volts in the run position. Put a wire from + battery direct to + coil and started right up and ran. Looks like the wiring harness (resister wire) is no good as predicted by you folks. New wiring harness on the way!
Thanks to all the responded!
Peter

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

Happy to hear our combined advice worked. Now I can finally tell my wife that someone, somewhere in the universe followed my advice and achieved success.

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: njsteve</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Now I can finally tell my wife that someone, somewhere in the universe followed my advice and achieved success.

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] </div></div>

Doesn't that feel good? It has likely happened many times before, you just didn't know it..... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] Some smart dudes round here........... and alot of been-there-done-that folks too!!!!!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif[/img]

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

Excellent - that is why i love this site, so much experience and so ready to help!

Let me renew my membership NOW!!

Re: COPO Chevelle start/run problems
 

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img] Let's get <span style="font-size: 26pt"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="text-decoration: underline">FIRED UP</span></span></span></span></span> Eddie!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]