Engine fires only when starter is engaged ... Stumped! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gruveb · 08-25-2016, 10:14 PM

I have a 69 C10. The engine and electrical systems are all new within the past 9 months.

The motor will fire when the key is turned all of the way and the starter is engaged. Let off of the starter and it dies.

I replaced the ignition switch.

If I run a wire from the battery to the hot side of the distributor, HEI, then it runs.

I'm stumped. Anybody got any ideas?

The motor is a 383, HEI distributor, all new.

Thanks in advance.

**LockDoc** · 08-25-2016, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruveb

I have a 69 C10. The engine and electrical systems are all new within the past 9 months.

The motor will fire when the key is turned all of the way and the starter is engaged. Let off of the starter and it dies.

I replaced the ignition switch.

If I run a wire from the battery to the hot side of the distributor, HEI, then it runs.

I'm stumped. Anybody got any ideas?

The motor is a 383, HEI distributor, all new.

Thanks in advance.

Where is your HEI getting it's power from?

LockDoc

teamadams · 08-25-2016, 10:33 PM

check pink wire ign 1. at ign switch should have 12v when key is on and when cranking.

gruveb · 08-25-2016, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Where is your HEI getting it's power from?

LockDoc

Now that you ask, I'm really not sure. It came with an HEI. I never looked. I'll have to find out.

**LockDoc** · 08-25-2016, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruveb

Now that you ask, I'm really not sure. It came with an HEI. I never looked. I'll have to find out.

If it isn't already, connect it to the "IGN UNFUSED" on the fuse block....

LockDoc

gruveb · 08-25-2016, 10:48 PM

To be clear the truck ran fine. I drove to work the other day and when I went to go home I had this issue.

gruveb · 08-25-2016, 11:03 PM

I ran a new wire from the unfused ignition in the fusebox to the HEI and now it runs fine. I'm still curious as to what happened.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

**LockDoc** · 08-25-2016, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gruveb

I ran a new wire from the unfused ignition in the fusebox to the HEI and now it runs fine. I'm still curious as to what happened.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Not sure on what caused your issue. Glad that got you back on the road....

LockDoc

davepl · 08-26-2016, 11:50 AM

I'm going to guess something was wrong/broken/interrupted in your main distributor power lead, but that the +12V override from the starter, which was intended to give points distributors full power during cranking, was still connected.

That way you get ignition during cranking but it quits as soon as you return the key to Run. Sound about right?

snipescastle2 · 08-27-2016, 06:15 PM

I had a similar problem with mine, turns out I had bent one of the terminals on the Back of the ignition switch, that was only allowing it to start while cranking,until I got an inspection and looked a little closer.bent the pin back and everything is fine
Ben

Posted via Mobile Device

08-25-2016, 10:14 PM	#1
gruveb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Rio Rico, AZ Posts: 43	Engine fires only when starter is engaged ... Stumped! I have a 69 C10. The engine and electrical systems are all new within the past 9 months. The motor will fire when the key is turned all of the way and the starter is engaged. Let off of the starter and it dies. I replaced the ignition switch. If I run a wire from the battery to the hot side of the distributor, HEI, then it runs. I'm stumped. Anybody got any ideas? The motor is a 383, HEI distributor, all new. Thanks in advance. __________________ 69 Driver - The Analog Truck

08-25-2016, 10:33 PM	#3
teamadams Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: baytown tx. Posts: 78	Re: Engine fires only when starter is engaged ... Stumped! check pink wire ign 1. at ign switch should have 12v when key is on and when cranking.

08-25-2016, 10:48 PM	#6
gruveb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Rio Rico, AZ Posts: 43	Re: Engine fires only when starter is engaged ... Stumped! To be clear the truck ran fine. I drove to work the other day and when I went to go home I had this issue. __________________ 69 Driver - The Analog Truck

08-25-2016, 11:03 PM	#7
gruveb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Rio Rico, AZ Posts: 43	Re: Engine fires only when starter is engaged ... Stumped! I ran a new wire from the unfused ignition in the fusebox to the HEI and now it runs fine. I'm still curious as to what happened. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! __________________ 69 Driver - The Analog Truck

08-26-2016, 11:50 AM	#9
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,334	Re: Engine fires only when starter is engaged ... Stumped! I'm going to guess something was wrong/broken/interrupted in your main distributor power lead, but that the +12V override from the starter, which was intended to give points distributors full power during cranking, was still connected. That way you get ignition during cranking but it quits as soon as you return the key to Run. Sound about right? __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

08-27-2016, 06:15 PM	#10
snipescastle2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: WARRENSBURG,MISSOURI,64093 Posts: 1,518	Re: Engine fires only when starter is engaged ... Stumped! I had a similar problem with mine, turns out I had bent one of the terminals on the Back of the ignition switch, that was only allowing it to start while cranking,until I got an inspection and looked a little closer.bent the pin back and everything is fine Ben Posted via Mobile Device __________________ "Persistence is the twin sister of Excellence.one is a matter of quality,the other, a matter of time" “Serious Black” my 1971 Short Bed Fleetside Sold to an outstanding man in Lees Summit,Mo. “Gone, but by no means,Forgotten”



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.