pre ignition and starting problems

[mitsu3000gt9825]

Hi everyone, I have a 1972 four door nova that i just recently brought up to college with me. Its has a straight six 250 motor in it. Unfortunatley due to the cold weather all my electronics seem to be malfunctioning. First off i was just driving down the road and my radio just turned itself off and i cant figure out why, but thats not the issue here. Whenever i try to start the car the ignition turns on and the car turns over, only problem is it wont stop turning over, and if its too cold the car wont start and it keeps turning over until the battery dies, which always seems to be right before i make it back to the car with a wrench to disconnect the battery terminal. I was thinking of installing a kill switch so i can easily disconnect the battery when this happens. Does anyone have some advice as to how to fix this problem or better yet how I could improve the starting potential of the car when the temperature drops real low. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks -chris

[Fyter87]

-Well, I think first off, It would probably be a good idea to get new, Sprak Plugs, Spark plug wires, new coil, new distributor cap too. Possibly a new battery, you can easily go to Kragen or some place and get it tested for free. Also try checking your altenator. You can hook a volt meter to ur battery terminals to check if your altenator is charging the battery.

-If your starter seems to stay in one place. You probably need to replace the starter. If you do live in a cold area. Probably a good idea to insolate some of the wiring. The cold really shouldnt effect wiring. Take things a step at a time. These are the things I would do in your situation.

Good Luck,
-Cliff

[Robs71Nova]

To improve starting, get a higher voltage ignition coil. Most stock ones are 35k volts. You can buy a "hotter" 50k volt one, and it will help your cold starting tremendously. Also changing your plugs and wires isn't a bad idea either. As far as your electrical problems, it sounds like something is shorting out somewhere. Check around your starter and see if any of the wires are possibly burnt through from resting on the motor. If that checks out, sounds like the problem may be one of the ignition wires in the steering column.

Rob

[jimmypodunk]

I suppose it could be your starter solenoid. When you turn the key you should have power to the starter. After it starts you let go of the key and you should not have power to the solenoid. Make sure your starter solenoid is wired correctly. If it is,check the wires to the ignition switch. Your ignition switch could be bad. Sounds like your starter solenoid is getting 12 volts when it's not suppose to. Have you tried jiggling the key or turning it completley to the off position?