Wiring She won't start. So far I've gone down the line in the TSM

[Turbogus]

Hi Gang it's been a long time. Over the last year and a half 'Black Betty' has been giving me fits with the Ignition system. (1978 CJ5 w/360) I've installed a new Primary Battery (I have a 2nd one for my winch) and I've tried replacing the Starter Solenoid and checking the wiring from it to the E-Coil yes I'm most of the way to the Team Rush upgrade. Since the mods necessary for the Team Rush upgrade I've gone as far as I can save for the Ignition MSD Module box and she was running fine until last year. The distributor has not been altered and the starter spins the motor up fine. I've taken the steps in the DARS chart in the official Jeep TSM and I'm at a loss on how to proceed. If there's any electrical gurus left here please chime in. Thanks and a lift of the lynch lid.
Gus

 

[Turbogus]

Yes from last year, perhaps I should try Starting Fluid?

 

[Turbogus]

Knulla she won't turn over at all now.

 

[Turbogus]

Vittu Minua, I forgot to ground the Starter Relay when I was going at her again.

 

[jzak]

I had a similar situation where my aftermarket Howell TBI system just completely died on me. It wouldn't crank or turn over. It wouldn't do anything. I replaced almost every part on that kit including putting in a new ECM, and rebuilding the TBI, but nothing worked. Eventually I just ripped out the whole thing, and put in a 2bbl carb. You may want to consider pulling out all that aftermarket Teamrush stuff, and go back to a factory setup.

 

[Griffin6]

I had a similar situation where my aftermarket Howell TBI system just completely died on me. It wouldn't crank or turn over. It wouldn't do anything. I replaced almost every part on that kit, including putting in a new ECM and rebuilding the TBI, but nothing worked. Eventually, I just ripped out the whole thing and put in a 2bbl carb. You may want to consider pulling out all that aftermarket Teamrush stuff and going back to a factory setup.

I agree. It seems the Team Rush stuff may be the issue. The electrical system for the CJ is not that complex in and of itself, but with modifications, which I’m guilty of, things start to get complicated and result in all sorts of problems.
You made an earlier note about using starting fluid. I encourage you against it. I ruined a valve using starting fluid. I know many will balk at this, but I use a large syringe with some good old gasoline. Just a few drops does the trick and avoids the damage that starting fluid could cause. Back in the day, with M151 Jeeps, we gas-ragged them, but I also had the hair burned off my arm more than once.

 

[Belizean]

I had a similar situation where my aftermarket Howell TBI system just completely died on me. It wouldn't crank or turn over. It wouldn't do anything. I replaced almost every part on that kit including putting in a new ECM, and rebuilding the TBI, but nothing worked. Eventually I just ripped out the whole thing, and put in a 2bbl carb. You may want to consider pulling out all that aftermarket Teamrush stuff, and go back to a factory setup.

I went down the MSD and Holley rat holes, all one company. I’ve had a few people tell me to ditch the Sniper since I have had trouble with it and the MSD stuff. “. Get the Howell. “ they have said, and hearing your story and others just frustrates the out of me. I did ditch the MSD ignition and went with an HEI DUI distributor. while also changing out a collapsed lifter and timing chain and sprockets and changed location of O2 sensor to Holley recommended location and also getting a bad Bosch O2 sensor also, and changing that out, I’m starting to think maybe I might be making my way back out of the Jeep abyss. Just to hot out this time of year to take a long drive for a good test.

 

[Turbogus]

thanks so much fellas. I really appreciate your input.

 

[Turbogus]

Okay I grounded the Starter Solenoid and she spun up just fine. I removed the Cap to the MSD and watched the Rotor make several turns without pause. That's a relief. I'm going to try checking out the under dash connection panel and the Key Cylinder next once it cools down. 101 today. The fuel in the tank is just over one year old. I once used Sta-Bil in my Bike a special '78 Kawasaki Z1R Turbo;


but 'Black Betty has run on old fuel before.

 

[Turbogus]

Today while I was out to Physical Therapy I stopped by NAPA looking for a Fuel Primer Bottle. Heretofore, I was pouring old fuel into a carb cleaner lid and clumsily adding fuel to the primaries. At NAPA all they had was an oversized Battery Filler so I figured if it's impervious to battery acid it should be okay for fuel. In a little while I'm heading over to VP fuels to pick up a gallon of 110 Tetraethyllead Gasoline and in the coming days I'm back to work so the trial of squirting fuel down the primaries of the AFB will have to wait.

 

[Turbogus]

As a sidebar, I'm still running the Ford EEC-1 Ignition Control Module that was stock on 'Black Betty'

 

[Turbogus]

I was checking the Air Screws and what do you know, some gremlin


maladjusted them. On the primary side it was nearly at its stop. Going to adjust the Floats again and take it from the top.

 

[Turbogus]

I may have been a little rough handed when I last adjusted the floats and I understand that it takes more finesse than that. I hope to get to it in the coming days.

 

[Turbogus]

Okay the new skinny (not me you understand) I come to find that I was ham handed when I last went into that Carter AFB and the floats were maladjusted as I initially looked online for the specification. As JeepHammer said years ago, free information is exactly what it's worth. I then put another Starter Solenoid into play and she fired right up. Retrying the Blue Streak and it was a dud, likely on account of me not holding the inner nut firm while tightening the cables. I found my Irwin Vise Grip needle nose pliers were just the thing. She starts on first try now but in my exploration I have a bunch of wiring laying on the right Header. I've got a few wire coat hangers to suspend those wires but I think there may be a more elegant way. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Odd Fire]

Hi Gang it's been a long time. Over the last year and a half 'Black Betty' has been giving me fits with the Ignition system. (1978 CJ 5 w/360) I've installed a new Primary Battery (I have a 2nd one for my winch) and I've tried replacing the Starter Solenoid and checking the wiring from it to the E-Coil yes I'm most of the way to the Team Rush upgrade. Since the mods necessary for the Team Rush upgrade I've gone as far as I can save for the Ignition MSD Module box and she was running fine until last year. The distributor has not been altered and the starter spins the motor up fine. I've taken the steps in the DARS chart in the official Jeep TSM and I'm at a loss on how to proceed. If there's any electricalView attachment 104661View attachment 104662 gurus left here please chime in. Thanks and a lift of the lynch lid.
Gus

View attachment 104663

View attachment 104664

Check your ground.

 

[Turbogus]

Thank you Odd Fire, I determined that my heavy hands had tightened the Battery and Starter nuts too tightly, and managed to bend the interior contacts. Since wiring in an Echlin it's firing right up.