Ignition acting odd

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72bumbee
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Ignition acting odd

Post by 72bumbee »

I started my truck this morning to go to the store. Nothing odd... came out of store and she wouldn’t start. Kept cranking till I killed the ten year old battery. Put in new battery... cranked fine, was getting fuel... but it acted as if it wanted to start when I turned the key to the OFF position after cranking. Still won’t actually start though... I’m just sitting here trying to figure out a way to get it home without having to do a repair job. I suspect the ignition switch is toast. But I also suspect the solonoid also?
What say you-all??
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
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1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
cep62
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by cep62 »

Get back to basics and check for spark.
It could be the switch , do you still have points?
you could run a jumper wire from battery + to coil+ , that bypasses every thing.
Be careful because you have to pull the wire to shut it off.
and if you leave it hooked up too long you'll damage the points.

Also after repeated attempts it could now be flooded.
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sargentrs
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by sargentrs »

I crossed the two wires on the solenoid one time and that happened. Freaked me out.
Randy
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72bumbee
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by 72bumbee »

I have a new switch on order, so the first thing I suspected will be the last thing I’m able to replace.
I’ve got a new battery, new solenoid,new coil, new Mallory distributor doohickey, new back ache........
I’m pulling the old ignition switch this morning.
Any helpful hints would be very welcome.
I may be able to get a switch at the auto parts store also.
Thanks again for all the help!!!
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
Mark Twain

1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
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72bumbee
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by 72bumbee »

Also, I do not still have points.
It’s the Mallory doohickey I referred to above!;-)
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
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1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
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72bumbee
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by 72bumbee »

I’m also curious about the jumper wire referred to above .....do I still have to crank the starter to get it running after I run a wire from battery + to coil +. ???
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
Mark Twain

1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
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72bumbee
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by 72bumbee »

UPDATE........................
replaced the ignition switch and just for giggles, replaced the distributor cap and replaced the choke warmer line from radiator.
Started perfectly and ran great for about five minutes then it abruptly died and once again wouldn't start.
As before, when i turn the key, it just cranks and cranks.... as soon as i release the key to let it return to the run position it sounds like it is trying to fire.
Also I'm hearing a hollow click when i turn the key to the off position and it has acted like it wants to fire also at that point.
I'm sort of guessing that this new ignition switch is now "toast".
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
Mark Twain

1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
cep62
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by cep62 »

72bumbee wrote:I’m also curious about the jumper wire referred to above .....do I still have to crank the starter to get it running after I run a wire from battery + to coil +. ???
Yes that just energizes the coil , you still have to crank the engine.
use a test light or volt meter and test for power at the coil with the key on.
then test for spark at a spark plug.
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by 72bumbee »

UPDATE #2
I got home tonight and put a new voltage regulator in the monster... it started fine and I let it idle and just sort of did some cleanup around the engine compartment... again about 5-8 minutes... the whole time the truck just idled nicely.
I decided to take it around the block and the truck started to bog down when I tried to accelerate. The it chugged a few times and died completely. I was unable to get it going again so left it parked. I’m kind of thinking that it is the alternator now. Again, one of the last things in the electrical system I haven’t replaced.
Once again, if you kids can think of something I am missing, just chime up.
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
Mark Twain

1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
cep62
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by cep62 »

I've had fuel filters plug up , then after it sits they'll run again, for awhile.
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72bumbee
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by 72bumbee »

I’m going to try starting it again tomorrow and report back.
I just need it to run for about three blocks... get it back in my driveway. Hoping it doesn’t get ticketed in the meantime.
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
Mark Twain

1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
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72bumbee
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by 72bumbee »

the fuel filter is clean and I'm getting fuel at the carb. i seem to be getting anemic and intermittent spark though..... wiring is not my forte :cry:
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
Mark Twain

1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by GPatrick »

I had a very similar symptom recently. It wouldn't start when cranking but when I turned the key off it would produce a spark that would light off a cylinder. I started checking components and the coil was very hot to the touch. Apparently turning the key off acted a bit like points opening and the coil would fire. I replaced the coil and it started right up. You've tried everything else so you may want to throw a new or known good used coil on it and see if it helps. Otherwise I would check the rest of your ignition components. Things like condensers can heat up after a few minutes and fail. Once they cool back down they act fine.
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72bumbee
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Re: Ignition acting odd

Post by 72bumbee »

thanks for the advice, but this old girl aint starting after sitting for 2 weeks! haha!
i have those symptoms at the key though... as i turn key from run to off, it is throwing a spark and making the fan turn a quarter turn or less.
i feel like I'm chasing my tail. I put in a new voltage regulator and it did run for about 10 minutes, then doing the retarded spark thing again and not starting. been reading a lot about the Mallory Unilite and have discovered that they need a Mallory coil to run optimally and braided or carbon spark plug wires!!!! I also found a tutorial for testing the module but at present cant seem to locate my multimeter!!
For now I'm going to start looking for a good mechanic that specializes in trouble shooting electrical systems. Not that I'm losing interest, but mainly need to know what caused this sudden and catastrophic failure. I need to understand!!!
:hmm: :pray:
“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.”
Mark Twain

1972 F-250 Camper Special. 360 A/T P/B AND a DANA 60 Rearend!
Former owner of dads 1967 F-100. It has gone home to the big road in the sky...
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