Electrical Electrical Issue

[Gunny505]

Thank you for letting me join. I have an 84 CJ7 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . I recently have a problem with it only wanting to run in the start position. As soon as I release the key back to the run position it dies. I’ve replaced the switch at the bottom of the steering column. I am thinking it may be the rod not connecting all the way so I bought a rebuild kit for the key ignition. Any ideas ladies and gents?

 

[CJ]

Have you checked for +voltage @ the coil when the ignition is in run? You may have a bad connection, burned fuseable link or bad ballast resistor. When cranking the system bypasses the run circuit and feeds +12v to the coil directly from the starter solenoid then switches to the stepped down run voltage when the cranking stops.
If you have run voltage another test is to take the switch off of the column and use a small awl, punch or screw driver to manually mimic what the key would do.

 

[Gunny505]

Have you checked for +voltage @ the coil when the ignition is in run? You may have a bad connection, burned fuseable link or bad ballast resistor. When cranking the system bypasses the run circuit and feeds +12v to the coil directly from the starter solenoid then switches to the stepped down run voltage when the cranking stops.
If you have run voltage another test is to take the switch off of the column and use a small awl, punch or screw driver to manually mimic what the key would do.

I only have 7.84 voltage in the run position. But I thought that was correct due to the step down. I did do the other test so it’s not the rod. Where should I go next?

 

[CJ]

I only have 7.84 voltage in the run position. But I thought that was correct due to the step down. I did do the other test so it’s not the rod. Where should I go next?

Yes, 7.84 @ the coil during run is correct for normal operation. +12v is only during cranking. I would jump +12v to the coil (for testing and see if it stays running. Same for the ECU (if you have one).

 

[Turbogus]

Also, make certain that your Starter Solenoid is grounded well.

 

[Gunny505]

Does anyone know where this light blue wire goes?

 

[CJ]

Does anyone know where this light blue wire goes?

View attachment 104772

That wire is owner created / installed. You will have to follow it manually.
Your solenoid has aftermarket wire taps, the cableing is in an aftermarket sheath and the starter cable has heat shrink. Looks like someone did some work on the wireing. It looks neat and clean from that picture.

 

[Gunny505]

That wire is owner created / installed. You will have to follow it manually.
Your solenoid has aftermarket wire taps, the cableing is in an aftermarket sheath and the starter cable has heat shrink. Looks like someone did some work on the wireing. It looks neat and clean from that picture.

I just popped this open and found this terrible stuff. Ugh. so I guess I need to wire this stuff back up? Looks like one wire that is connected to the alternator is completely broken. The other wire red and black connection looks burnt.

 

[CJ]

Ouch!!! That was hidden well! under no circumstances should the main charge wire have a crimp butt splice, let alone one of the cheap ones. It should be one continuous wire or if it has to be spliced, soldered with heat shrink. That is how electrical fires start.
Good find, kinda sorta.

 

[Turbogus]

Does anyone know where this light blue wire goes?

View attachment 104772

Just Don't cut the Blue Wire! BOOM!

 

[Belizean]

Just Don't cut the Blue Wire! BOOM!

LMAO.

 

[Gunny505]

So I am pretty sure it’s the pickup coil on the distributor. I’ve replaced everything else, so really that’s all that’s left. I’ll keep everyone up to date once I get it in.

 

[CJ]

So I am pretty sure it’s the pickup coil on the distributor. I’ve replaced everything else, so really that’s all that’s left. I’ll keep everyone up to date once I get it in.

I don't see how it can be the pickup as it runs with 12v to the coil. Have tried the test where I suggested jumping +12v to the coil continuously? Even in start and run?

 

[Gunny505]

I tried jumping from the positive to the red side of the coil and it didn’t work. Did I do it wrong?

 

[CJ]

I tried jumping from the positive to the red side of the coil and it didn’t work. Did I do it wrong?

Nope, that is correct. So far you are troubleshooting just as I would.

 

[Gunny505]

Nope, that is correct. So far you are troubleshooting just as I would.

So by an accident, I left this fuse out and it fired right up. No idea what this means? But at least it’s running and charging. I guess there might be a short underneath the dash. I think it says ING LPS. Any thoughts?

 

[CJ]

Congratulations? . Persistence pays off.
My first thought is you must of repaired the shorted out charge cable.
My second thought is this makes no sense. I need to go through my diagrams
.

 

[Gunny505]

Congratulations? . Persistence pays off.
My first thought is you must of repaired the shorted out charge cable.
My second thought is this makes no sense. I need to go through my diagrams
.

Thanks for hanging in with me. I am going to look in the manual and go forward and backwards of that fuse and see what could be wrong. No idea?

 

[CJ]

Thanks for hanging in with me. I am going to look in the manual and go forward and backwards of that fuse and see what could be wrong. No idea?

What manual do you have? Do you have a TSM (technical service manual) or something like a Haynes?

 

[Gunny505]

What manual do you have? Do you have a TSM (technical service manual) or something like a Haynes?

(Link)-> CJ7-8-84to86 service manual.pdf -< I got it from inside this group.