Maleficio

A friend's 84 needs help, and the dude doesn't know what to do.

He says the car will crank, but won't fire. He said he can push start it and it will fire and run.

Does this sound like a bad ignition switch or a relay?

Thanks.

wwest

Starter is dragging down the battery voltage so much the ignition system doesn't work.

Disconnect, clean/burnish and reconnect and tighten ALL battery connections, POSITIVE and GROUND retuen connections. Also the battery may be on the point of failure but still provides enough juice for every function except with HIGH CURRENT starter load.

Maleficio

Thank you. That makes perfect sense.

race911

Vaguely remember a customer car with similar problem that was a bad ignition switch. Power to DME with switch in ON position, but none when in CRANK position. Car would start if you cranked and then quickly moved it back to on. I think. This is 20 years ago............

whalebird

I would look at the battery as stated - always good practice in many diagnosis...just look at the battery first. I would be testing that ignition switch soon after if the battery checks out.