ok so my 1970 dart is being a pain in the butt right now. When i go to start my car and i turn my key all the way forward to crank my engine over, my engine starts up, but when i release it and it flips over to the on position my car dies. whats the problem? is it the ignition switch and all oreillys has is some kind of harness for it, can i get that or is there more to it?

 

Could be the switch, could be the ignition module, could be a bad ground...

 

Did you check the ballast resistor? Cheapest thing first.

 

Lol I don't know exactly the ballast resistor is. I just went put there to mess with it and if I hold the ignition to a certain point without letting it go all the way back to the on position, it will actually sit and idle. But if I let it go back all the way it will turn off. Does that answer anything?

 

i agree with scotts74birds. replace the ballast reisitor. its the white rectangle shaped block thats mounted on the firewall with 2 wire connectors plugged onto it.

 

im having issues with mine too... but i also need to redue the wires goin to it... wat gauge are they?

 

I think the problem definitley sounds like the ballast resistor. When you are cranking the car over, the ballast resistor is being bypassed. The volts are full to the coil, then when you let the key back to t he "run" position the volts are being bypassed by the resistor. If the resistor was burned out, it would have the symptoms you are explaining.

 

sweet, thanks allot guys i really appreciate it, im gonna see if oreillys carries them

 

I agree, thats prolly what I would have suggested too, good luck fixing it

 

is it a hard fix?

 

1 bolt,2 wire connectors. total time will be less than half a beer.

 

Bang for the buck, time, cost, effort, all factored in? The EASIEST and most satisfying repair there is! Not much harder [or cheaper] than fixing it with chewing gum! BTW...I keep one in my glove box!