At 12:30 AM 4/7/98 EDT, Michael Casiello wrote:
>My Bricklin wont run. It will start, but as soon as I let the key
>returns to the " run " position, the engine dies. if I keep the
>ignition key turned, like when you start the car, it will continue
>to run, and so will the starter..
That's no fun!!!
>I was told it might be the "balaster resistor" but I have no idea what
>that is, where it it, what it looks like or if it might be something
>else. Do you have any ideas what might be wrong? Any information to
>you can provide me will greatly be appreciated. Thanks!!!
Michael you didn't say weither it was a 74 or a 75. There are major
differences in the ignition systems of the 2 years.
I don't know if either had a ballast resistor. While some cars have
external ballast resistors, some have the ballast resistors built into
the coil.
Maybe someone else on the list reading this can tell us where it is.
However, I can tell you how to check.
You will need a Multimeter (perfered) or a mechanics test light. For
the sake of time, I will assume that you know how to use which ever
piece of equipment you have. If you don't let me know and I'll tell
you how.
You want to locate the coil and the lead going from the coil to the
distrubutor. Disconnect the wire that goes to the dist. from the coil.
Turn the ign. switch to the run pos. and read the voltage at the terminal
with the wire still on it.
If you don't try turning the ign. switch to start. DO you have 12V now?
If yes, then there is a problem with low voltage wire to the coil and
or possibly the ballast resistor. You will have to try and trace the
wire from the coil back towards the ign. switch and see where it goes.
Another possibility is that if the coil has been disconnected, it got
hooked up backwards. I've seen this on other cars, don't know about
the Brick. Try moving the wires to the opposite terminals on the coil
and see what happens.
Let me know if you need more help and I'll see what I can do.
John
John T. Blair WA4OHZ email: jblair@exis.net
Va. Beach, Va Phone: (757) 495-8229
48 TR1800 65 Morgan 4/4 Series V
71 Saab Sonett III 75 Bricklin SV1 77 Spitfire
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