Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hi Guys,
Have a starting issue with my stock 1600, everything looks good to go, we have fuel, spark and the starter turns strong. When you turn the key starter cranks and you can hear and smell combustion as normal but dies when you back the key off. If you hold the starter on, longer than you normally would, it sounds as if it is running but dies instantaneously when you release the key. This has been a progressive issue, had some cold struggles over the winter but this time is a no go.

any thoughts would be great

Matt Jacquet

Bad ignition switch

Or maybe the starter harness.

Yep, probably no spark after the switch turns back.

Ign. switch sounds right since this has been progressive. Otherwise Check the wiring to the coil, this is exactly the symptom that occurs when the wires are reversed. Also check your ballast resistor and finally the coil. Short term check of the ballast resistor is to jumper it, if jumpering it fixes the problem, then the ballast is bad.

I did install a Gary Boone EI Dizzy oh so many moons ago and to keep me from going off on a tangent, this EI upgrade is a ballast resistor delete, right?
Thanks again!
Matt

Yes, delete ballast with the EI Upgrade!

Sounds as has been noted either a bad switch or it is not bypassed correctly.

See this: http://www.kendo-usa.org/datsun/resistor_bypass.pdf

If you read the original post, this problem has been creeping in. In the absence of a change which precipitated the problem, the switch is the likely culprit

spl310 wrote:If you read the original post, this problem has been creeping in. In the absence of a change which precipitated the problem, the switch is the likely culprit

OMG, its, its the dreaded roadster creep!!!! Makes me think of the movie The Blob as the thing slowly consumes my car.

Yup, saw that. Wasn't sure if he changed the connections or not.

The only creeping my roadster is doing is creeping along in time it has been sitting in pieces. Need to break down and get a welder so I can move it along.

This is why I like my inexpensive aftermarket switch. Looks like a roadster switch but much cheaper. But I don't have the bypass either.

Checked last night, ballast resistor was removed per the installation instructions back in 2004. Any tips on a ign. switch test? rather not buy one until I know that it's bad.

Thanks
Matt

impinhigh wrote:Checked last night, ballast resistor was removed per the installation instructions back in 2004. Any tips on a ign. switch test? rather not buy one until I know that it's bad.

Thanks
Matt

If you pull the plug off the back then you can use a tester to check for continuity in each position. Use the PDF guide I posted showing the wire colors. Check the colors on the plug and compare to the terminals. There is more than one layout for the terminals.

This tells you some about the switches.
http://www.datsunroadster.com/PIC_PAGES ... 487-09.htm

Two with different patterns.
http://www.datsunparts.com/1666
http://www.datsunparts.com/1667

Thanks Curtis!!