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Ignition wiring problems

  
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Ignition wiring problems

 
ponch326 ponch326
New User | Posts: 23 | Joined: 03/09
Posted: 01/04/12
01:11 PM

Hey all
 I'm having problems with my 66 326 Lemans. I just rebuilt my 326 had trouble idling so I brought it to the "best engine shop in town" . so I thought . They almost destroyed it twice, (They put a long stem compression tester in and smashed myvalve springs , and push rods and bent valvestems  .second time a cam lobe wore off in 20 miles destroying everything). I then found out another shop that did the heads messed them up(wrong seat angles wrong guides)  and a shop that machined the block left grit in the oiling holes (Fried bearings). So I learned my lesson Dont Pay Cash , Always get reciepts and double check all work done. The shops were all in Oshawa Ontario.

Anyway I finally got it back and tha Battery went dead . found that the power was going through everything with the key off (hooked test light between battery cable and battery and it lit up). when key is on accessory , there is no power drawing and starting is fine .I don't think they messed with the ignition switch so could the have switched some wires on the starter solenoid? I can't see the starter wires without removing it (pain in the butt with headers )

I never want to bring a car to another shop again.
Thanks all  

 
76Tranz 76Tranz
User | Posts: 138 | Joined: 01/10
Posted: 01/04/12
02:26 PM

Don't know if your wiring harness is like mine, but you might try checking to see how they hooked your wiring harness to the dash and starter wire on the back of your alternator. The starter wire goes on the post first and then the harness wire to the dash and steering column goes on last. If you reverse these positions, your dash and all of your acessories will be hot all the time and the key switch will not work in the "acessory" position", but it will still start and eventually run your battery down with the key off because everything is still "hot". Hope this may help you, if not, well..I tried...  

 
ponch326 ponch326
New User | Posts: 23 | Joined: 03/09
Posted: 01/04/12
03:48 PM

Thanks for the reply Tranz
Not sure what you meant about the first or second wire on the post of the alternator. On the back of the alternator , the largest wire is on a post with the condensor  and the other two small wires go on a couple of connectors to the passenger side of the alternator . The largest wire  has power when key is off .

To the best of my knowledge they didn't change the firewall connectors or harness and it was working properly before the shop got it .
Original starter and original alternator  

 
goatwool goatwool
Enthusiast | Posts: 333 | Joined: 07/10
Posted: 01/04/12
05:42 PM

Hey Ponch, I feel your pain.  I also went through a bad shop but finally found one that does good work.  Anyway there should be 1 wire (about a 12ga) that is tied to the starter post along with the 4ga from the battery.  This is the wire that feeds the ignition switch.  I bet you have 1 wire providing feedback to the wrong side of the switch.  The feedback can come from anything plugged into 12 volts.  If you don't have a wiring diagram, you can and should get one (on the internet).  That will be your best bet to find the problem.