timbolia
65Wagon
So, I lost my only key somewhere last night. Just got a call from my wife and her van got towed, and she has 6 kids with her on a feild trip in Downtown LA. How can I get my car started so we have at least one vehicle running?
Take a piece of wire and attach it from the positive side of the battery to the ballast resister. Then take a screw driver and cross the two posts on the starter relay. The engine will run till you pull the jumper wire.
Would you need to tie in on the coil side to not fry the ballast?
Would you need to tie in on the coil side to not fry the ballast?
Nope, bypassing the ballast like that would probably fry the coil. That's what the ballast resistor is for.
Call a locksmith
Nope, bypassing the ballast like that would probably fry the coil. That's what the ballast resistor is for.
I vote for removing the ignition switch in this case. Anemergency situation would do the jumper.
Actually, the Ballast resistor is there to keep the points from burning, not to protect the coil. The starter circuit by passes the ballast until you release the key to the run position. That is why when a ballast goes bad, the car will start and then quit as soon as you let the key return to run. GM used a resistor wire to the points and didn't need a ballast resistor.
A jumper wire from the battery to the batt side of the coil and shorting the two terminals of the ignition relay monentarily will start the car. Just remove the wire to the coil to shut it off. Don't run it that way all of the time or your points will not last too long.
Mike