frumharlem
Member
Good afternoon,
I have been struggling to resolve and issue since doing a bunch of maintenance to my car. I have read a few posts and will try my best to avoid the pitfalls in my question
Facts:
Before Recent Maintenance
1. My car was running and starting fine, before the maintenance work.
2. My car is an automatic 727 floor shift (conversion) 318 motor.
3. I have ran an MSD Coil, MSD Distributor and MSD 6AL for about 2 years, just fine.
4. I still have the Ballast in place (but after reading many posts, I am not sure I need it. The MSD Distributor is not the fancy E series with the Rev Limit computer. It is also not the Ready To Run one (because I already have the 6AL box). It is the 2 wire model 8534.
What Recent Maintenance Was Done
I did a lot ..front suspension, better headers (Doug's not TTS), and most importantly I rebuilt the steering column as well as replaced the Firewall Bulkhead wire connector. The last two are where I am pretty sure the issue is.
Steering Column Rebuild: New ignition lock cylinder, new Ignition Switch, new signal cam and wires
The Firewall Bulkhead connection is simply the exact same plastic bulkhead. I replaced most of the metal connectors with PICO brand male and female connectors same connectors. I already had an in-line fuse on the large red wire. However, it had signs of a little stress and was getting loose. So, that was really why I changed it out. Also, I had mysterious in-line 15 Amp fuse blowing at random times.
I also eliminated putting the sprocket looking steering wheel lock and the little toggle pin that catches that gear looking steering wheel lock back in.
Since reinstalling the steering column and snapping in the Bulkhead clip, I have the following issue:
The starter cranks: Normal speed not weak, but never starts. I can smell fuel, so I am getting gas to carb. No headlights or any other lights work.
I checked the Ignition Switch connector wires. I am getting power at all times on the Yellow and Black Wire (on both sides of the adapter/connector. I mean from the column as well as on the "out" "other end of connector". So I know the pins connect. However, as I trace the same yellow wire over to the Wiper switch side of the column, I see a relay or flasher, but the yellow wire no longer has power (in any key position).
It also does not seem to have power at the Bulkhead connection on wither side (cabin or engine bay).
My MSD 6AL light does not come on at all with key in any position.
My starter relay only has power on the "big Stud". The same yellow wire on the spade (I believe it is the same yellow wire as inside the car) also does not have any power off the starter solenoid.
So, it seems that the only energized wire is that Yellow wire coming off the ignition switch. No power on the Black, Blue, Orange or Brown.
I am stumped...
Any help is greatly appreciated.
I looked and found troubleshoot videos for the Coil, Ballast, Starter Solenoid, and the 6AL box, but nothing on how to tell if an issue is your ignition switch or other ignition piece.
I have been struggling to resolve and issue since doing a bunch of maintenance to my car. I have read a few posts and will try my best to avoid the pitfalls in my question
Facts:
Before Recent Maintenance
1. My car was running and starting fine, before the maintenance work.
2. My car is an automatic 727 floor shift (conversion) 318 motor.
3. I have ran an MSD Coil, MSD Distributor and MSD 6AL for about 2 years, just fine.
4. I still have the Ballast in place (but after reading many posts, I am not sure I need it. The MSD Distributor is not the fancy E series with the Rev Limit computer. It is also not the Ready To Run one (because I already have the 6AL box). It is the 2 wire model 8534.
What Recent Maintenance Was Done
I did a lot ..front suspension, better headers (Doug's not TTS), and most importantly I rebuilt the steering column as well as replaced the Firewall Bulkhead wire connector. The last two are where I am pretty sure the issue is.
Steering Column Rebuild: New ignition lock cylinder, new Ignition Switch, new signal cam and wires
The Firewall Bulkhead connection is simply the exact same plastic bulkhead. I replaced most of the metal connectors with PICO brand male and female connectors same connectors. I already had an in-line fuse on the large red wire. However, it had signs of a little stress and was getting loose. So, that was really why I changed it out. Also, I had mysterious in-line 15 Amp fuse blowing at random times.
I also eliminated putting the sprocket looking steering wheel lock and the little toggle pin that catches that gear looking steering wheel lock back in.
Since reinstalling the steering column and snapping in the Bulkhead clip, I have the following issue:
The starter cranks: Normal speed not weak, but never starts. I can smell fuel, so I am getting gas to carb. No headlights or any other lights work.
I checked the Ignition Switch connector wires. I am getting power at all times on the Yellow and Black Wire (on both sides of the adapter/connector. I mean from the column as well as on the "out" "other end of connector". So I know the pins connect. However, as I trace the same yellow wire over to the Wiper switch side of the column, I see a relay or flasher, but the yellow wire no longer has power (in any key position).
It also does not seem to have power at the Bulkhead connection on wither side (cabin or engine bay).
My MSD 6AL light does not come on at all with key in any position.
My starter relay only has power on the "big Stud". The same yellow wire on the spade (I believe it is the same yellow wire as inside the car) also does not have any power off the starter solenoid.
So, it seems that the only energized wire is that Yellow wire coming off the ignition switch. No power on the Black, Blue, Orange or Brown.
I am stumped...
Any help is greatly appreciated.
I looked and found troubleshoot videos for the Coil, Ballast, Starter Solenoid, and the 6AL box, but nothing on how to tell if an issue is your ignition switch or other ignition piece.