1966 427 390 Need Help With Wiring

[Tony C.]

Hi
When I started my car the copper line to the oil presser gauge was against the wire on theballast resistor. The wire smoked and melted in 2 seconds right to the ignition switch. I replaced the wire and now when I start the car the only way it stays running is to hold the key in the start position with the starter engaged. Is the ignition switch maybe fried or did I mess up something else.
I need help with this one.
Thanks Tony

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 427 390 Need Help With Wiring

Hi
When I started my car the copper line to the oil presser gauge was against the wire on theballast resistor. The wire smoked and melted in 2 seconds right to the ignition switch. I replaced the wire and now when I start the car the only way it stays running is to hold the key in the start position with the starter engaged. Is the ignition switch maybe fried or did I mess up something else.
I need help with this one.
Thanks Tony

Tony-----


Replace the ballast resistor.

[Tony C.]

Re: 1966 427 390 Need Help With Wiring

Tony-----


Replace the ballast resistor.

Joe
I just replased the ballast resistor with a old one I had and it sill dose the same thing. Maybe my old one is no good.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 427 390 Need Help With Wiring

Joe
I just replased the ballast resistor with a old one I had and it sill dose the same thing. Maybe my old one is no good.

Tony-----


It's possible, but it seems unlikely if it was working alright before. In any event, you might want to replace it with a new one and see what happens; they're not that expensive. I don't see how you could have damaged the ignition switch based upon what you described, but I suppose it's possible. If the ballast resistor doesn't correct the problem, I might try replacing the ignition switch next.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 427 390 Need Help With Wiring

Joe
I just replased the ballast resistor with a old one I had and it sill dose the same thing. Maybe my old one is no good.

If the short was at the oil pressure line, it would most likely have affected wiring and items ahead of the short, not after it. It's likely that a terminal in the ignition switch is burned. It's a somewhat common problem.

If you have a test light, see if you have current coming into the balast resistor with the ignition switch in the on position.
We already know there's current coming in when the ign switch is in the crank position but that's fed from a different source.