1962 Starts but shuts off immediately

[Charlie P.]

'62 will start, but will shut off pretty much immediately when key is released. What is likely culprit? Thanks, Charlie

[Wayne C.]

Re: 1962 Starts but shuts off immediately

I would look at the ignition switch itself first. I had the same problem on a 1958 years ago.

[David K.]

Re: 1962 Starts but shuts off immediately

Check the ballast resistor

[Domenic T.]

Re: 1962 Starts but shuts off immediately

Check the ballast resistor

Yes,
Balast resistor may be bad and it only starts with the 12V boost from the solenoid. Turn the ignition switch to on and see if you have 12V at the coil side of the balast resistor.

Dom

[Frank D.]

Re: 1962 Starts but shuts off immediately

When this happened to me on my '61 the car would do as you describe about 1 in every 20 starts -- very frustrating. I finally found a bad connector in the dash wiring harness to the ignition switch that would intermittently fail....

An ignition switch or wiring problem is much more likely than a ballast resistor going bad IMO...

[Jim L.]

Re: 1962 Starts but shuts off immediately

It certainly won't hurt to check the ignition switch, but the symptom you've described is also consistent with a bad ballast resistor.

Jim

[Terry D.]

Re: 1962 Starts but shuts off immediately

Charlie
Easiest way to check resistor is to take a new no. 2 pencil and wrap a 14 gauge wire around it from end to end. Attach it on each side of the resistor, if car continues to run after to release key there is your problem. Car won't rev up much but will keep running.

Terry

[Richard M.]

Re: 1962 Starts but shuts off immediately

First I'd check voltage at both ballast terminals with a voltmeter with key on as suggested.
Note that voltage may vary if the distributor ignition points are open or closed.
Also check voltage at Ign switch Brown wire terminal with key on.

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A test of the ballast resistor.....

Place alligator clip wire jumpers across the 2 terminals. Attempt start.

If engine starts and continues to run, while idling....remove jumper.

If engine looses power.........bad Ballast.

More tests if ballast is found good.....

If engine starts and shuts down after crank release......Turn key to off.

Place jumper wire from Battery+ to Coil+ (Not for extended periods)

Attempt start.

If engine runs, check for open connection along Brown Ign wire circuit at
Ign switch to the ballast, defective Ign switch, etc. You can run
a jumper from Bat+ to Ign switch Brown wire terminal as a test also.
(this is a "hotwire" attempt)

Note: If a prior owner added a fuse at the Ign switch, check/replace fuse.

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[Charlie P.]

Re: 1962 Starts but shuts off immediately

Thanks for all the good advice. Probably won't get to the car for at least a couple more weeks, but will update when I determine the problem.
Charlie

[Charlie P.]

Re: 1962 Starts but shuts off immediately

An update on the story: When I went to get the car out of storage, it started and ran fine, and has continued to do so. I'll take it, but it's a bit worrisome. Thanks again for the input.