78 dodge motorhome wont start.

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1979monte - 18 Jul 2007 17:16 GMT

It sat for 3 years. changed the fuel,and the coil because of no spark. it
started afer that let it sit 4 weeks now it wont start again. checked
spark sparked once you turn the key but not after that or when yo stop
cranking the motor.

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hls - 18 Jul 2007 21:34 GMT

> It sat for 3 years. changed the fuel,and the coil because of no spark. it
> started afer that let it sit 4 weeks now it wont start again. checked
> spark sparked once you turn the key but not after that or when yo stop
> cranking the motor.

Older vehicles had Kettering ignition systems, using a coil, points and
condensor,
etc.

They often had a different circuit to the coil when in RUN position as
compared
with the START position. If your RUN circuit is not working as it should,
you
could get this effect. It could be the run wire (which often goes to a
ballast resistor)
or the actual ignition switch itself.

This might give you a place to start, anyway.

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Nate Nagel - 18 Jul 2007 23:31 GMT

>> It sat for 3 years. changed the fuel,and the coil because of no spark. it
>> started afer that let it sit 4 weeks now it wont start again. checked
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> This might give you a place to start, anyway.

'78 should have the "orange box" ignition but even so the ballast
resistor is known to fail. the symptoms described sure sound like a bad
ballast resistor, or less likely, bad wiring in the coil circuit (the
ballast is bypassed during cranking which is why you're getting spark then)

nate

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cuhulin@webtv.net - 19 Jul 2007 00:48 GMT

My 1978 Dodge (318 cubic inch engine) van doesn't have points.
cuhulin

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Steve - 23 Jul 2007 15:58 GMT

>> It sat for 3 years. changed the fuel,and the coil because of no spark. it
>> started afer that let it sit 4 weeks now it wont start again. checked
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> condensor,
> etc.

But a 78 Dodge motorhome will have Chrysler electronic ignition.

> They often had a different circuit to the coil when in RUN position as
> compared
> with the START position. If your RUN circuit is not working as it
> should, you
> could get this effect.

Ballast resistor. Its bypassed when the key is in the "crank" position,
so the engine will run until the key is released and current then would
have to flow through the ballast resistor. Fairly common Mopar problem,
easily solved by carrying a couple of spare ballast resistors in the
glove box :-)

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