Fires but doesn't start

[buz19]

I've got a 67 289 that has been working great until last week when it just stopped going down the road. It had done about 3 times before but always re-started. This time I could not get the engine re-started. The engine will fire when ask to start but when I let go of the key it dies right away. No sputtering like it's not getting gas , so I've ruled out a gas problem. I'm tthinking it's a ignition problem. Does anyone know where I should start lokking???

 

[palerider94]

Sounds like it could be the Ballast resistor. I had a similiar problem. There is a wire going to the coil that reduces the voltage from 12v to 6v. If resistor burns out - you get problem you mentioned - fires with key in on position but as soon as you let go of the key it dies - (no electic to coil). Easy to test, jump a wire from battery to coil and fire it up - if it stays running it's the balast resistor wire. Don't leave it running that way for too long or you will fry coil. Expecting only 6 volts. Good luck. Took me a while to figure this one out - when it happened to me.

 

[carefact0rzero]

also check to make sure that any of the wires coming from the back of your ignition switch haven't slipped off somehow. just happened to me this past weekend.

 

[buz19]

Turns out it was the starter solenoid creating a direct short to ground. replaced solenoid and no more problems. Of course that was after I replace the ignition switch and jumpered the resistor wire to the coil!!!!