[HotRodMan]

I have a 1973 Javelin with a 232 6 cylinder engine, manual transmission, standard, no tilt steering column. Primary ignition uses a resistance wire. Stock ignition with points and condenser.

All of a sudden when you turn the ignition switch to the "on" position the dash lights no longer come on. The starter turns over fine, the engine acts like it is going to start, but when you let off on the ignition switch to the run position, the car dies right away.

Anyone know what causes this? Thanks.

[redlightning]

I would check the ballast resistor first.

[HotRodMan]

I have checked everything and all seams to be well. Just tinkering around with it I got the car started but it will only run a few minutes, the alternator light will come on for a second, the engine starts to die, the alternator light goes out and the engine runs fine again. I tried tapping the wire conections and wires to check for a loose connection while the engine is running but nothing happened.

Can anyone give me an idea of what is going on here. Could something breaking down inside the alternator cause this?

[rbfpezcore]

Originally Posted by HotRodMan

All of a sudden when you turn the ignition switch to the "on" position the dash lights no longer come on. The starter turns over fine, the engine acts like it is going to start, but when you let off on the ignition switch to the run position, the car dies right away..

Sounds like something similar to what was happening with my cadillac. The starter turns fine and it begins to fire up, but then it dies when you let off the ignition to the run position. My ignition switch was shot. I took about 1hr and re-wired it and everything worked fine. Check the switch. Loose connection maybe? I dont know, I'm still learning. Wait for Doc.

[78novaman]

I have a 1969 rambler, the wiring is very similar to your Javelin. It uses a ford solenoid. Since the engine will fire & run with the ignition key to start, solenoid is fine. Also shows the associated wiring to the starter, points, and coil is fine. Since when you let go of the key, the engine dies, you most likely have bad ignition switch. The dash lights (I'm assuming you mean the dummy lights) are run through the ignition switch as well, further pointing to your ignition switch. The slide contacts often become brittle with age and eventually break off.

[HotRodMan]

OK, I have replaced the ignition switch, found a corroded connection 6 inches from the solenoid, discovered the two wires going into the back of the alternator were loose. Fixed all I could find wrong, the car worked great for a few days after that, (thought I had fixed it) and then suddenly now when I turn the the ignition switch to the on and start positions I get nothing. The lights on the dash do not light up, and the starter does not turn. Any ideas?

[HotRodMan]

After two weeks of checking all the wires and ignition switch I found the problem. Everything checked out OK separately, but then the car would not start. It turns out the main feed line from the battery to the ignition switch (red) had vibrated its way out of the plastic harness that plugs into the ignition switch. I pushed it in about an eighth of an inch and the car works perfectly again. I just happened to notice that wire was sticking out an little further than the rest of the wires. That whole unit is tucked up under the dash so far you can hardly see it.

[78novaman]

Isn't it always the simplest things that will drive you nuts?

Glad to hear you found it and thanks for letting us know the solution!