Expert: Ben Deutschman - 12/31/2008

Question
I know you only go to '74, but it can't hurt to ask, no?  Anyway, my slant-six was running OK, but now won't turn over with the key.  It will 'click', but not turn over. (in any gear, so I don't think it's the neutral safety switch)

If I jump the starter relay, it'll turn over, but no spark!  Before it died totally, I had jumped the relay, started it, but then as soon as I put it in gear, it just died (two times over).  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Answer
Have you tried replacing the 'Ballast Resistor' found on the Firewall? That was a common failure item back then, due to moisture getting into it through a faulty Hood Seal, which then caused the Resistor Coil to pop. The car would crank, and run with the key held on, but would immediately die when you let go of the Ignition Key, and the 'Ignition Switch' returned to the 'Run' position. If replacing the Ballast Resistor gets it running again, but you still can't start the car with the Key, I'd also look into a new 'Ignition Switch', which on your car may be mounted on the 'Steering Column', a ways down from the 'Lock Cylinder' you put the Key in. If your car also has a Firewall mounted 'Starter Relay', I'd try swapping that out also. You can check the Coil with an Ohm Meter, and a stock Coil should read around 10,000 Ohms of resistance between the center terminal where the Coil Wire goes, and either primary terminal (+ or -). The Coil Test should be done with all Leads removed, to avoid any false readings.