Hi All,

Standard 200b L20b

Accessories work, Dash lights come on when key in On position, engine cranks and fires with key in Start position then dies instantly once key is back in On position.

After checking a number of things and finding nothing wrong i decided to fiddle with the ignition barrel and have found that if after starting i slowly return the key to the On position it continues to run if i hold the key toward start from On but dies if i release it into on.

Does this mean it can only be the ignition barrell itself that is faulty? if so why are the dash lights still lighting up in that position? when i fiddle with the key toward start with the engine off the lights dim slightly as though more current is being drawn at the point where the engine will run.

Is this the ignition barrel itself the problem? Or am i overcoming another issue by putting the ignition into the start mode. I want to know before getting a new barrel, unfortunately i cant find one in the parts collection at the moment to test.

Thanks,
Alex

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you are not a beautifull and unique snowflake...

Had same problem in 2 cases. One turned out to be the ignition, plugs on back were dodgey just replaced the whole thing. The other was a bad connection where the ignition wiring plugs in to main harness think it may have been the crank wire or one of the main wires. It doesnt affect the dash wiring because they work at the on position they should go off when you hit start

It's your ballast resistor http://www.hot-spark.com/Hot-Spark%20Ba ... sistor.jpg
Next to the coil. Check terminals or get a new one

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1979 Datsun Stanza Coupe
1979 Datsun Stanza Coupe Project
1979 Datsun Stanza GX
1982 Datsun Stanza GX
1966 Nissan Cedric Custom Six
1972 Volkswagen Beetle
1974 Toyota Landcruiser Stallion (SWB)
EziAutoParts

A week ago i had the kick panel off there and was doing a bit of body repair to the inner guard so it's possble i've knocked something. I'll have a look tonight.
Is there an easy way i can test/inspect this? should i check voltage at the neg side when ign at "on"? it makes sense as the resistor is bypassed at start only am i correct?

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you are not a beautifull and unique snowflake...

To test if your ballast resistor is broken, just short it out with a jumper wire.
Loom wires should be intact and tight on the terminals.
If the engine starts and runs then the resistor is open circuit.
Assuming you don't change anything else that is

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Regards, Graeme
Just trying to help...
http://nissanman.shutterfly.com/
graemes@internode.on.net

thanks it seems so obvious now. i'll have a go tonight.

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you are not a beautifull and unique snowflake...

i had the same problem was a loose wire on the distributor!

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Its not that i have no money, i just have a huge investment in my datsuns!

thanks for the help all... it was a dead ballast resistor.

I shorted it out with some 240v earth wire whilst i wait for a new one to arrive. Car will only be driven 3 minutes to the station and back a couple of times.

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you are not a beautifull and unique snowflake...

No worries mate

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1979 Datsun Stanza Coupe
1979 Datsun Stanza Coupe Project
1979 Datsun Stanza GX
1982 Datsun Stanza GX
1966 Nissan Cedric Custom Six
1972 Volkswagen Beetle
1974 Toyota Landcruiser Stallion (SWB)
EziAutoParts