safe to presume

[Big_John]

Ballast resistor.

 

[Ripinator]

My ignition switch is bad if the engine cuts out but I can keep her running by turning the key towards the start position ?

It would explain the gremlins if it is bad. Now to find one on the Carlisle fairgrounds and get it installed.

Thermostat!

 

[azblackhemi]

Thermostat!

It's not the thermostat! Huh Stan?

 

[3C's & a D?]

Ballast resistor.

I would concur with Big_John and the others. I had the same problem a couple of years ago. After replacing the switch, about a two or three hour job, it did the same thing. Replaced the ballast resistor, 2 or 3 second job, good to go! I felt pretty brilliant that day.

 

[Carmine]

Too much hay and panic is made over these resistors. As I said, crossing the connection will get you by in a pinch, and troubleshooting couldn't be easier. Do that first. If it fails to stay running, the problem is elsewhere.

 

[Big_John]

Too much hay and panic is made over these resistors. As I said, crossing the connection will get you by in a pinch, and troubleshooting couldn't be easier. Do that first. If it fails to stay running, the problem is elsewhere.

That's 100% right and good trouble shooting advice right there.

 

[polara71]

I bought one and switched it out, the car is running. Thanks fellas.....! I hope this was the culprit of my problems in NY too

 

[navajo denny]

had the same problem lately changed coil which was 39 years old and now runs great

 

[MarPar]

I bought one and switched it out, the car is running. Thanks fellas.....! I hope this was the culprit of my problems in NY too

Excellent!

 

[rexus31]

Make sure the connections at the ballast are tight. Remember my issue?

 

[polara71]

No, I do not

 

[detmatt]

Neither do I but that's sound advice.

 

[rexus31]

No, I do not

Strange Thing Happened Today

Fast forward to post #154 which explains what my issue was.

 

[rapidtrans]

Back in the day dad put a spare ballast resister in the glove box the day he got a new car. Certain cars were very susceptible to BR failure do to location. I think some A bodies had them on the firewall right where rain water would drain.

 

[polara71]

Strange Thing Happened Today

Fast forward to post #154 which explains what my issue was.

A month ago as some may have read I had the car several hundred miles from home. As I rolled down the highway at 75 miles an hour the car would hiccup . When it did it was like it shut off for a half second and the amp gauge would shoot to discharge but only for half a second. .
There was times when it would stall out, regardless of my speed. I would put it in neutral and sometimes it would start right up, other times in five minutes, other times perhaps 45 minutes would pass but it would always start.
The backfires were the loudest Ive ever heard and again, not all the time but one lit up a darkened Walgreens parking lot and store as it tripped the alarm after backfiring.

We made it home without incident today after replacing the ballast resistor on Thursday. The car ran great, no stall outs, no back fires, no playing with the ignition switch. Ive never had one go bad, thank you guys for helping me diagnose the problem.

 

[live4theking]

I'm glad to hear it.

 

[FURYGT]

Great news!

 

[Fratzog]

Good to hear. These old cars will keep you on your toes.