a lil stumped

Discussion in 'Technical' started by TONY, Sep 3, 2010.

  1. TONY

    TONY Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2005
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    el paso tx
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    hey guys this morning i went to turn on my mav and started up no problem.it died though once i rolled a little in reverse.and i went to start it again and it didnt start,it turns over and turns on but when i let go of the key it dies.what do u guys think it could be?
     
  2. Bryant

    Bryant forgot more than learned

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2007
    Messages:
    6,538
    Likes Received:
    153
    Trophy Points:
    203
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    71 Maverick
    a bad ignition switch would be my first guess. take a volt meter or test light, turn the key on and see if you have voltage on the positive post of the coil. if you do then probly not the ignition switch. if not then its the switch or wireing.
     
  3. TONY

    TONY Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2005
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    el paso tx
    Vehicle:
    72 maverick
    yeah i turned it and it did hav voltage so most likley its the ignition?
     
  4. Ryan

    Ryan Ford Addict

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    3,185
    Likes Received:
    104
    Trophy Points:
    182
    Location:
    Phoenix Az.
    Vehicle:
    73 Maverick, 70 F-100, 68 F-100, 02 Crown Vicoria
    If you have power at the coil with key in the Run position then its not the switch. So you are saying it fires up in the crank position but dies when you let go and the key goes into the run position? DOes your car still have points or converted to a Duraspark ignition or other form of elctectonic ingnition?
     
  5. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2003
    Messages:
    3,829
    Likes Received:
    354
    Trophy Points:
    223
    Location:
    Eastern Shore, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet GT (clone), 1974 Mustang II, 1980 Bobcat Wagon
    jumped time? how many miles on that timing chain?
     
  6. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2008
    Messages:
    8,072
    Likes Received:
    962
    Trophy Points:
    498
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    GA
    Vehicle:
    '74 Maverick 302 5-Speed.'60 Falcon V8. '63.5 Falcon HT
    If the engine fires ups then dies after letting go of the key it could be the solenoid or ignition switch.
    If the engine spins faster than usual while cranking then it could be the timing chain has jumped (valves open on compression stroke).
    Or it could just be out of gas and not electrical or mechanical.
     
  7. simple man

    simple man Member

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2009
    Messages:
    1,507
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Bunnell,Florida
    Vehicle:
    74 Maverick - 82 Ford Ranger,one of the first ones made!
    Sounds like the resister wire to the coil or as said before,the ignition switch. If you have a test light,turn the ignition on and test the pink wire lead at the ignition switch. I know it takes a contortionist to do this! If you have power there then test at the coil +. The light may be dimmer than at the switch,but it must be on. If you have power to the switch end,but not to the coil,the resister wire "pink" is bad. If no power at the switch,the switch is bad. Good luck on it,it should be easy to fix!:)

    P.S. I'm assuming you have your stock points distributor. If you have the duraspark setup,I would suspect the module.
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2010
  8. 302-72-mav

    302-72-mav Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2009
    Messages:
    1,394
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    sactown CA
    Vehicle:
    70 mav 302 // WRECKED 72 maverick
    did you hook up the battery wrong + on the - side ?

    run a wire from the + of the battery to the + on the coil and try to start it it will give power to the coil if it runs then it's your ignition
     

Share This Page