AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Mighty 258 => General Service and Diagnosis => Topic started by: DESA on July 04, 2011, 05:38:00 PM

Title: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: DESA on July 04, 2011, 05:38:00 PM
Wow been away for almost a year I think? Forum looks good....Ok I have developed a starting issue and need some direction. Eagle cranks and cranks when cold and no fire lots of fuel flowing( motorcraft 2100 carb) Just as I let of turning the key to stop cranking it amazingly fires up like a dream not always just sometimes otherwise it just seems to flood out the carb....Should I bee looking at carb issues or electrical? I'm thinking maybe stuck float too much fuel? Has anyone ever had this sort of problem when it fires up just as you let off on the ignition.
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: eaglefreek on July 04, 2011, 05:45:38 PM
While cranking, have someone check the positive side of the coil and make sure it is getting 12v. However you are saying when it is cold only. Does it start fine when warm? If so I would say choke problem.
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: IowaEagle on July 04, 2011, 05:52:29 PM
Electrical.  Its happened before to others.  At the moment I forget the cure.  IIRC correctly its either ignition switch related or solenoid related.  But I could be way off base with that too.
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: vangremlin on July 04, 2011, 06:11:18 PM
I am going to point you in the direction of the starter solenoid.  Its a pretty cheap and easy fix if that is the problem.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: IowaEagle on July 04, 2011, 06:14:40 PM
That is what I was thinking too.  Memory is not so hot at times.
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: vangremlin on July 04, 2011, 06:23:00 PM
Quote from: IowaEagle on July 04, 2011, 06:14:40 PM
That is what I was thinking too.  Memory is not so hot at times.

IE, my memory is pretty good, its just short!
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: DESA on July 04, 2011, 08:19:39 PM
Things do start up way better once the car has been running but there have been times when I've been driving all day make a stop and try starting again and it just cranks and dumps fuel into the carb. I have a manual choke set up on the 2100 its fairly simple I've tried all sorts of positions still with no luck some days. I'll investigate the Coil that was my next step. 
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: Whuntmore on July 04, 2011, 08:25:57 PM
Mine was doing that also, and it was the coil.  almost catch, ya let go of the key, and it don't start.
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: DESA on July 04, 2011, 08:37:35 PM
Yeah I did the whole ECM Test a long time ago and used the recommended Pertronix coil things worked great for a year or two maybe the coild has decided to crap out? I never relocated it I just used the original mounting bracket on the side of the block that may have been too warm of a spot for it...still funy how it seems to start fine after being warmed up? we'll see
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: Smitch on July 04, 2011, 08:39:52 PM
When did you change the spark plugs last?
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: IowaEagle on July 04, 2011, 09:49:08 PM
Are you still using the Motorcraft Ignition Module?  They do that when they are getting tired and get hot.
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: DESA on July 05, 2011, 12:08:28 PM
Yep still using the motorcaft IM I do have another from a 86 but If I remember correctly they are wired different than the 88 eagles. 
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: eaglefreek on July 05, 2011, 12:28:27 PM
Quote from: DESA on July 04, 2011, 08:37:35 PM
Yeah I did the whole ECM Test a long time ago and used the recommended Pertronix coil things worked great for a year or two maybe the coild has decided to crap out? I never relocated it I just used the original mounting bracket on the side of the block that may have been too warm of a spot for it...still funy how it seems to start fine after being warmed up? we'll see
My Pertronix went bad in only 3 months. My MSD is still working fine over 2 years.
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: craigp29690 on July 05, 2011, 12:46:09 PM
I had this happen years ago.  Car would crank and crank and when you let off the key from the start position it would sound like it would fire but it would not start.  It was the ignition module.  Mechanic explained that when your key is in the Start position and the starer motor is cranking the ignition module sends out a higher voltage to the ignition system than when you release the key after the engine has started.  I was skeptical but he verified his testing procedure and diagnosis based on info in the TM. 

If it's not that I would suspect a bad coil.  You can have spark at the plugs but not hot enough to ignite the fuel so it looks like everything is working but it's not really.

If the engine is turning over when you turn the key it's not the starter but it could be in the solenoid since it makes contact while starting to energize certain components. 
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: DESA on July 05, 2011, 04:34:34 PM

[/quote]
My Pertronix went bad in only 3 months. My MSD is still working fine over 2 years.
[/quote]

Interesting I do have a MSD blaster II from an old ECM Test from years ago I will try that when I get home today, The reason I went with the Pertronix was because I was under the influence that it had the proper amount of resistance needed for the ECM Test to actually work? This is something I recall form reading another members Write up on the subject I think his Member name was Jurgen and I believe he is from the Netherlands...haha vague I know. Do we have a posting in the forum with instructions on how to get rid of the original Ignition Mod?
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: mudkicker715 on July 05, 2011, 04:47:34 PM
I also have the msd in one of mine. I have the 600al box to fire it. What do you need to know. The box comes with instructions
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: DESA on July 05, 2011, 07:03:00 PM
Quote from: mudkicker715 on July 05, 2011, 04:47:34 PM
I also have the msd in one of mine. I have the 600al box to fire it. What do you need to know. The box comes with instructions

?? 600al box you lost me there....sorry if thats a dumb question......I removed the Motorcraft Ignition Module from my parts car (86) and I have both another Pertronix flame thrower and a MSD blaster II. I'll start there and see if I get any love if those don't solve the problem I'll move onto the carb.
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: mudkicker715 on July 05, 2011, 07:32:10 PM
Sorry look up msd 600al should pull up the websiye
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: Eagleearl on July 05, 2011, 11:45:22 PM
Sounds like you are getting no spark in the start mode but getting it in the run mode. Make sure you have 12 volts at the coil when it is being cranked. If the car is running fine once it starts the coil is likely fine and it does not sound like a carb problem.
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: DESA on July 08, 2011, 01:56:15 AM
I tested the + side of the coil while cranking and the most I could get was 6 volts while cranking. I replaced the coil with MSD blaster II coil Cranked and the meeter flashes a quick 12 Volts then settles at around 6 Volts as the car is running....Long story short the car jumps to life with the new coil first try every time as apposed to cranking and cranking only to fire while turning the key off with the old coil...It was an interesting problem never have I had a vehicle do that...Thanks for all the detective :police: work Members I'm a happy man  ;D
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: vangremlin on July 08, 2011, 11:04:28 PM
Glad you got it running again!  Enjoy the drive!
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: WFO386 on August 24, 2011, 07:31:03 PM
i have the same problem, i just put in a new ditributor cap, plugs, wires and ignition coil

it will crank and crank until u smell gas, no choke on the carb it hasnt been there since i bought it a yr ago and it hasnt let me down until now. any ideas?   could it be the rotor inside the distributor or a bad ground or something? please let me know what you think
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: vangremlin on August 24, 2011, 09:37:30 PM
Quote from: WFO386 on August 24, 2011, 07:31:03 PM
i have the same problem, i just put in a new ditributor cap, plugs, wires and ignition coil

it will crank and crank until u smell gas, no choke on the carb it hasnt been there since i bought it a yr ago and it hasnt let me down until now. any ideas?   could it be the rotor inside the distributor or a bad ground or something? please let me know what you think

I know this seems really obvious, but I'm willing to bet its a mistake we've all made at one time or another.  Is the rotor in the distributor?
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: standup650 on November 01, 2011, 02:18:33 PM
Quote from: DESA on July 08, 2011, 01:56:15 AM
I tested the + side of the coil while cranking and the most I could get was 6 volts while cranking. I replaced the coil with MSD blaster II coil Cranked and the meeter flashes a quick 12 Volts then settles at around 6 Volts as the car is running....Long story short the car jumps to life with the new coil first try every time as apposed to cranking and cranking only to fire while turning the key off with the old coil...It was an interesting problem never have I had a vehicle do that...Thanks for all the detective :police: work Members I'm a happy man  ;D
it has a inline resistor, it's suppose to be 6volt
Title: Re: Starting Issue point me in the right direction
Post by: carnuck on November 01, 2011, 07:41:40 PM
12V pickup on the solenoid is worn off.