Electrical ?

[jel111]

Hey all I am having an electrical issue. Truck won't start unless I run a wire from the positive battery post straight to the positive post on the coil. I was driving and it started to die so I pushed in the clutch and revved I then let out the clutch and kept going. This worked a while and then she died. Had to tow her home. While tinkering I ran a wire from post to post and she started. Now I am lost! Please all ideas welcome!

[19666Trucker]

Sounds like the resistor wire went bad
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[jel111]

Resistor wire? Elaborate a little for me please!! I am idiot bout these things!! Thanks !

[Sharps40]

On a points dizzy, two wires run to your coil. One from the starter. One from the ignition to firewall then thru the connector along a resister wire to the same side of the coil as the starter wire.

The resister wire is from the firewall connector to the coil. It heats up and burns out eventually.

Disconnect it at the bulkhead and coil. Check with a multimeter....it the resistance is infinite, its broken/burnt thru. Replace with a new resister wire.

If not, problem is elsewere in the circuit.

[tincan1966]

On the firewall, behind the engine on the passenger side is a bulkhead connector. it will have these wires coming out of it on the engine side:
Dark Green -- goes to temperature sending unit
Light Green -- IF you have indicator light in dash -also goes to temp sending unit
Dark Blue -- If you have indicator lights in dash- goes to oil pressure sending unit
Purple -- to START terminal on starter(closest to engine block)
White-cloth covered(usually brown from years of wear) this is the resistance wire to the + side of coil should show less than 12V+ with key "ON"

You will also have a yellow wire from the RUN terminal of starter(outer most small terminal) to the + side of coil- this will only have 12V_ power while engine is cranking

Check for power at the coil + with key on -- it best to use a voltmeter than test light. It should be less than 12V. If nothing- then unplug connector on firewall and test the corresponding terminal on the firewall side for 12V+. If there is 12V, then your resistance wire is bad. If there is not 12V+ then your problem is between the ignition switch and the connector- that will be in the pink wire from the connector, on the inside of firewall to the ignition switch.

It is possible that the coil itself, could be breaking down internally, but will work when supplied with a full 12V.

Let us know how things test.

[jel111]

Hey thanks all! I will give it a try this morning! It has finally cooled off just a little. i'll let you all know!

[jel111]

Thanks everybody! It was the resistor wire! Got her running and gonna go for a test ride now. Seems I need a new loom there. Thanks again for all the help. In these kinda situations I am lost. I do not have the experience with any wiring and get confused easily it seems.

[gofastnut]

jel111, these guys are the experts, and an awesome bunch! Glad they got you sorted out and quick enough.

[tincan1966]

Glad to be able to help out a little