SO incredibly mad at myself!!!

GB SISSON

GB SISSON

Well-known member
You may remember I have been troubleshooting my fuel gauge in my homemade woodie. Well, last week I left the ignition swith on for an hour and a half and when I just happened to notice, my new blue bosch coil was really hot. I was so pissed off I promised myself I wouldn't leave the ignition on again.....Well tonight after work I noticed the ignition switch has been on for 3 days. All I can imagine is my fresh Bubba's distributer has burned points, my coil is fried and other horrors yet unknown. Is this what happens when we advance in age? It is on the charger now, but have I ruined something or is this just something that happens? Already had a rough day at work, but I'll get through this. We always do.
 
I got in the habit of disconecting the battery everytime I leave the car. granted it is by no means a regular driver.
 
I would not leave the ignition on for more than a minute or so max. Longer leads to damage and increases the chance of forgetting about it being on. Even better would be to remove the coil wire if you are going to do extended testing.
 
Of course I would never leave it on on purpose. I guess I need a dash warning light. I'm gonna go down in a half hour and try to start it.
 
GB SISSON said:
Of course I would never leave it on on purpose. I guess I need a dash warning light. I'm gonna go down in a half hour and try to start it.
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I really do think taking the coil wire off anytime your trouble shooting anything other than the ignition system itself is the way to go. Only takes a few seconds and takes the memory element out of it. I've had some memory issues lately that have been really costly!!!
 
JSeery said:
I really do think taking the coil wire off anytime your trouble shooting anything other than the ignition system itself is the way to go. Only takes a few seconds and takes the memory element out of it. I've had some memory issues lately that have been really costly!!!
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Maybe at our our ages what the hell would a little reefer hurt?

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JSeery said:
I really do think taking the coil wire off anytime your trouble shooting anything other than the ignition system itself is the way to go. Only takes a few seconds and takes the memory element out of it. I've had some memory issues lately that have been really costly!!!
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So you are saying the wire between the coil and distriburer cap? Anything to take the memory thing out of it. And here I was all excited to get on medicare in May and the cheaper ferry tickets and the free senior lunch at the senior center, not to mention the 25 cent coffee at Macdonalds when I get to the mainland....
 
Well you may or may not have damaged the coil depending on weather the distributer timing contacts are closed or open. Points closed and coil cooking, points open so no current flow there. Regardless the distributer contacts may survive OK.. All my cars have a battery cut off switch and its always OFF when I walk away from the car. Fit that switch NOW and use it. It also doubles as an anti theft device if you hide it somewhere. And NO not the coil to dist cap high tension cable but the small ignition primary wire at the distributer to one coil small terminal. Regards, KEVIN.
 
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koates said:
Well you may or may not have damaged the coil depending on weather the distributer timing contacts are closed or open. Points closed and coil cooking, points open so no current flow there. Regardless the distributer contacts may survive OK.. All my cars have a battery cut off switch and its always OFF when I walk away from the car. Fit that switch NOW and use it. It also doubles as an anti theft device if you hide it somewhere. And NO not the coil to dist cap high tension cable but the small ignition primary wire at the distributer to one coil small terminal. Regards, KEVIN.
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So, Kevin you are saying a battery cut off switch? What's best and easiest?

I'll report soon on my 'start up'
 
Yes, fit a heavy duty battery cut off switch which breaks the main battery cable or better still the main ground cable from the battery positive terminal if its an original Ford positive to ground system. I try and mount these switches in the floor of the vehicle just in front of the drivers seat so that the floor mat will hide the knob or key. It can be reached fast if there is a wiring short or fire even while you are driving if need be. You don't have to lift the hood so nobody can see you turning it off. Some switches have a removable key or lever. You may have to make or buy battery cables to suit the switch position. Yes I like you tend to forget things sometimes and Im over seventy. Regards, Kevin.
 
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