possible bad ignition switch
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- Addicted!
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Re: possible bad ignition switch
Bleh...I was hoping. Well...I would probably clean or replace that spade connector, then track down the other end in Bentley and check the continuity. Weird for a fuse to be intermittent, but push on them anyway... The other guys here will have much better suggestions. Colin hates parts replacement, but a spare starter to swap in is really nice to have around...
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- Addicted!
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Re: possible bad ignition switch
and howthehell do you get the wiring plug back into the ignition switch in the column? My 63 year old neck can't stay in position twisted right and looking back up and holding a flashlight.
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: possible bad ignition switch
Don't look ya old goat. Just stick it up there while you are standing outside the car. First take a quick comfortable look with wiring out of the way, note the orientation, make the terminal match it, plug it in.mentalQtip wrote:and howthehell do you get the wiring plug back into the ignition switch in the column? My 63 year old neck can't stay in position twisted right and looking back up and holding a flashlight.
You have family members who can help plug it in.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
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- Addicted!
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Re: possible bad ignition switch
Ok then. With new switch attached to wiring plug and daughter turning screwdriver I checked for power at the push on at the starter using a test light. No light at all. Seems there is no juice coming from the switch to the starter.
New switch and no voltage at the push on at the starter means short in wire? Starter spins when shorted with screwdriver.
Next tried turning the switch to start with the pushon ignition wire totally free from the solenoid. Is it normal that the idiot lights still to out? Sounds even more like a short?
New switch and no voltage at the push on at the starter means short in wire? Starter spins when shorted with screwdriver.
Next tried turning the switch to start with the pushon ignition wire totally free from the solenoid. Is it normal that the idiot lights still to out? Sounds even more like a short?
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- Getting Hooked!
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Re: possible bad ignition switch
No, it means there's an "open" in the wire. Or the wire is connected to something else rather than its rightful location. Wiring diagram sez the starter wirementalQtip wrote: . . . no voltage at the push on at the starter means short in wire?
from ignition switch connects at an 8-way connector, and thence rearward to starter. Should be easy to find a big ole connector like that, and see if the connection
is good.
But really, I think you should immediately track down and correct electrical anomalies as you find them - in this case the idiot lights going out when the ig. switch
is turned to the Start position. This should not happen. It's fairly normal for them to dim somewhat when actually cranking, but since there is no cranking going on,
and no big current draw, there should be no voltage drop to make them dim. It sounds like the idiot lights are somehow being powered by the "X" circuit from the
ignition switch, instead of the 15 (ignition) circuit. The X terminal goes dead in the Start position, y'know. There may be other miswirings that
are at the root of the no-start problem.
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: possible bad ignition switch
Excellent call!kreemoweet wrote: It sounds like the idiot lights are somehow being powered by the "X" circuit from the
ignition switch, instead of the 15 (ignition) circuit. The X terminal goes dead in the Start position, y'know. There may be other miswirings that
are at the root of the no-start problem.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- tristessa
- Trusted Air-Cooled Maniac
- Location: Uwish Uknew, Oregon
- Status: Offline
Re: possible bad ignition switch
Considering how hippie-hacked the wiring was when you got that thing, I'm surprised any of it works...
Remember, only YOU can prevent narcissism!
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- Addicted!
- Location: Portland, Oregon
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Re: possible bad ignition switch
Is there a diagnostic tree to figure out what changed from when it would crank and the idiot lights just dimmed, to not cranking and the idiot lights going comp;letely out?
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: possible bad ignition switch
I would jumper the red 30 to the black 15 at the pulled ignition switch plug. Idiot lights should light.mentalQtip wrote:Is there a diagnostic tree to figure out what changed from when it would crank and the idiot lights just dimmed, to not cranking and the idiot lights going comp;letely out?
Jumper the red 30 to the red/black 50. Starter should engage.
This verifies basic vehicle electrical integrity.
Then I would perform a continuity test of the ignition switch (no vehicle power present).
Continuity test 30 to 15 as you turn the switch to "on".
Continuity test 30 to 50 at start position.
Continuity test 30 to X with ignition on (should be a yes)
Continuity test 30 to X at start position (should be a no)
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
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- Addicted!
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Re: possible bad ignition switch
Thanks Colin. The switch passed all tests clearly. When I jumped 30 red to 50 red black the engine turned over. The original switch and replacement switch when turned to start, nothing but idiot lights turning out.
I don't get it. Jumping 30 and 50 turned the engine. Doesn't the switch turning to start do the same thing?
And the original switch also?
I don't get it. Jumping 30 and 50 turned the engine. Doesn't the switch turning to start do the same thing?
And the original switch also?
- tristessa
- Trusted Air-Cooled Maniac
- Location: Uwish Uknew, Oregon
- Status: Offline
Re: possible bad ignition switch
"Replacement switch"
Is it a new switch, something you had in a coffee can on a shelf, one that came from a hulk in Trafton's back lot..?
Is it a new switch, something you had in a coffee can on a shelf, one that came from a hulk in Trafton's back lot..?
Remember, only YOU can prevent narcissism!
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- Addicted!
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Re: possible bad ignition switch
New, smarta**.
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- Addicted!
- Location: Portland, Oregon
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Re: possible bad ignition switch
Tristessa. Thought you would appreciate this. Went home and straight to garage. Worked the 30 and 50 wires deeper into plug. Added the switch and with a screwdriver got it to crank for the first time.
Woooot!
I thought that would gladden you heart.
Woooot!
I thought that would gladden you heart.
- tristessa
- Trusted Air-Cooled Maniac
- Location: Uwish Uknew, Oregon
- Status: Offline
Re: possible bad ignition switch
yaay.
Now cram it back on the switch in the steering column, make sure the wires are pushed up and seated on the switch connectors and see what happens. Maybe enlist Caspian for the standing-on-your-head contortions.
Now cram it back on the switch in the steering column, make sure the wires are pushed up and seated on the switch connectors and see what happens. Maybe enlist Caspian for the standing-on-your-head contortions.
Remember, only YOU can prevent narcissism!
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- Addicted!
- Location: Portland, Oregon
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Re: possible bad ignition switch
As it turns out the engine spins well, the idiot lights still go all the way out.