jeep truck wont stay running

[brentsydlik]

i have a friend with an 83 jeep pickup and it will only run if the key is held in the start position... once its released the truck shuts off. he tried another key cylinder and it does the same thing. any ideas???

[HappyPappy]

  Don't know if the 83 has a resister block located somewhere on the left side of the engine compartment, but if it is weak or comes unpluged, it'll do the same, been there done that.  It looks just like the old style one's Chrysler used before.

[carnuck]

wire is built into the harness. If you go to NAPA (or cross reference this part elsewhere) and get an ICR12 resistor, you can put it inline with any switched full 12vdc power to the + on the coil and it'll run.

[HappyPappy]

 Mine is on the left fender front, right where you bump it and nock the wires off of it. I seem some mounted closer to the firewall on the same side.  Looks lie a white porclain block with two wire terminals on it, bolted to the fender well just under the hood line.

 If the wires come loose or are off, it'll start but won't stay running unless you hold it in the start possion, look out starter!!

[brentsydlik]

hey thanks guys, when i talk to him again i will suggest that to him. sounds like a common enough problem to be diagnosed quickly.

[carnuck]

Mine is on the left fender front, right where you bump it and nock the wires off of it. I seem some mounted closer to the firewall on the same side.  Looks lie a white porclain block with two wire terminals on it, bolted to the fender well just under the hood line.

 If the wires come loose or are off, it'll start but won't stay running unless you hold it in the start possion, look out starter!!

That sounds like a Comanche. The Jtrucks didn't come stock that way.