Ok... here's the scenerio: The cars been sitting for a month I've been waiting for some kick panels w/ speakers built in that were back ordered, I installed the speakers, new head-unit yada yada, stereo works great. When I went to start the car it wouldn't start, cranks but won't fire. I ended up draining the battery trying, jumped it still nothing! Let it sit over night tried again this morning and it was doing the same thing then when I let off the key it fired up, let it run for 10min or so and when I went to shut it off it wouldn't shut off, the lights on the gauges went off and what not but the engine wouldn't! Finally had to pull the fuel pump relay to kill the fuel to kill it. ANY IDEAS WHERE TO START?

FYI: 502 RAM-JET

Sounds like the ignition switch is out of adjustment. It cranks, but the switch does not provide power to the ignition in the start position. When you turn the key back to run, it powers the ignition, and she runs. Going to the off position apparently leaves it turned on enough to power the ignition. That is my first guess.

Second it that you may have powered some part of the stereo via a hot all the time source that now backfeeds the ignition, perhaps via the switch.

Thanks.... I think it might be ign. too! I'll let you know what I find! Thanks again! Don

Sounds like you have a back feed to your ignition. That can happen if you have MSD ignition. Pull the plug out of the alternator and see if that will shut down the engine. The circuit that powers the alternator might not be turning off the alternator when you turn the key to off.

Sounds like you have a back feed to your ignition. That can happen if you have MSD ignition. Pull the plug out of the alternator and see if that will shut down the engine. The circuit that powers the alternator might not be turning off the alternator when you turn the key to off.

Replaced the ignition switch and pulled out the radio.... it's still doing the same thing!

(i don't have an msd)

When I pull the plug out of the alternator it doesn't shut down the engine!

I'm lost and don't know where else to begin looking....

Anyone have any other ideas???

Thanks, Don

I assume you are running an hei?
Pull the power wire and check for voltage with the key on (should have battery voltage)and with the key off(should have zero volts). You probably crossed a wire somewhere in the radio install. Also try pulling the ign key and see if the radio works.

what rianbechtold said.

I had almost the same thing happen on my '69, but it just would not shut off, turned the key to "off" and everything went off except the engine. My problem was the alternator backfeeding through the voltage reg. and to the hot wire to the dist. Mine still had the orig. voltage regulator. I put a single wire alternator on it and it fixed the problem.

when you say you replaced the ign. switch your talking about the switch on top of the column, under the dash correct? Not the switch you put the key in. jim

when you say you replaced the ign. switch your talking about the switch on top of the column, under the dash correct? Not the switch you put the key in. jim

Both actually, new ignition switch (mines dash mounted) and new tumbler assembly!

I assume you are running an hei?
Pull the power wire and check for voltage with the key on (should have battery voltage)and with the key off(should have zero volts). You probably crossed a wire somewhere in the radio install. Also try pulling the ign key and see if the radio works.

No hei, I double checked the radio wiring... I also went off of the old wiring the previous wiring was hooked up too! Radio is out right now and still doing the same thing!:(

sounds like getting power from alternator somehow. did you check your voltage regulator? maybe it is shorted and allowing backfeed as mentioned before.

It sounds like your ignition is wired to the ACCESSORIES. When the starter is engaged, power to the accessories is cut to provide max juice to the starter. When the ignition switch springs back, the accessories get energized again. Did the ignition wire get moved in the fuse box?

Some of the accessories stay energized even when the ignition switch is off completely - like the dome lights. Is your ignition getting power from one of those terminals?

Well if the motor continues to run normally with the key off/out then the coil's + terminal has to be getting power from somewhere.
No ACC or the coil should be getting any power.
Might TRY disconnecting the yellow wire from the starter's "R"terminal and see what happens.
Also try unplugging the voltage regulator.

Does the charging light work with key on-engine off?

Now might be a good time to pick up a junkyard HEI and kill two birds with one stone.