Jeep will not start

BUDD · Jul 19, 2008

With all the knowledge here I am sure someone can help! 1978 Jeep with 304 V8. It will not run, you can turn it over and let off the key it will start and then die. A couple of times it ran for about 15 seconds and then died. I tried to wiggle the key (thinking it could be going bad) but it made no difference.
I have ran into this issue before on another car but I can not think what it took to fix it. It seems to me that these older cars started on 12 volts and then ran on something less than 12. Anyone have an ideal on where to check?

Thanks BUDD

davejoe · Jul 19, 2008

It could be an open ballast resistor, try putting a jumper wire from the positive battery post to the positive side of your coil and see if it will stay running.
dave

El Toro · Jul 19, 2008

I think you have a bad ballast resistor somewhere between the ignition switch and the coil. Hal
PS: It may be on the firewall.

onefarmer · Jul 19, 2008

Yep, Sounds like classic bad ballast resister. Starts while cranking then dies when letting off the key. The resister is usually on the left fender. Look for a ceramic block bolted there. Might have two or four connections.

jose bagge · Jul 19, 2008

Budd, i do not think that jeep has a ballast resistor but I agree that the first test I would run would be to run a hot wire from the battery + to plus side of coil. While I do not think it's the case (I don't remember one on my old jeep), it might have a fusible link to the coil as well 9 like early Mopars) and that could be the problem (although they don't usually fire at all when that pops).

Lincoln IA · Jul 19, 2008

Jeeps do not use ballist resistors. I had a '78 Jeep with the 304 that did the same thing. Turned out to be the ignition module. That silver box looking thing mounted on the inner fender with all the wires going to it.

trucker40 · Jul 19, 2008

It could be what others said,but it sounds like a bad ground or ignition switch.I have had that happen because of a ground cable being loose,at least I fixed the ground cable and it fixed the problem.Its hard to say for sure because I had so many problems with that vehicle and it will drive you nuts.A lot of times people will overlook the ground wires,I know I have,and they are just as important as the hot wires.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 19, 2008

Possibly Pick up coil in Dist , or module. I recall replacing few of these yrs ago . Put test light on neg side of coil , look for pulse when cranking, if none ,,,Pick up coil . If got pulse, module .

Anonymous-0 · Jul 19, 2008

i have the same problem with mine... post back what the problem was

NE NEB FARMALL · Jul 19, 2008

I had a 76 CJ5 with a 304, had the same problem and it was the distributor.

BUDD · Jul 20, 2008

I hot wired the coil thinking for sure it would start right up,,, NOT. Still the same thing. I will check the distribtor next. It will be next weekend before I get to it now. I will post what the issue is when I get it fixed. Thanks for all the responses and suggestions!!!!!

BUDD

bweb · Jul 20, 2008

I had a 99 jeep cherokee that would start if you held the gas down slightly. Let off it would die. Turned out the battery was going bad and didn't have enough voltage for some switch or relay. I know this is newer and more electronic than yours, but maybe it would be something to check.
Barry

Jeep will not start

BUDD

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davejoe

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El Toro

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onefarmer

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jose bagge

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Lincoln IA

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trucker40

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Anonymous-0

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Anonymous-0

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NE NEB FARMALL

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BUDD

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bweb

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