1971 malibu motor won't shut off

[tba1975]

I have a 1971 Chevelle malibu that I purchased recently and am having problems with the engine not turning off with the key at all. Even bigger problem, the owner passed away two days after buying car, so unable to ask him questions. It doesn't have original motor, has a more recent 350. I decided to buy all new under the hood wiring and dash wiring, mainly since previous owner started to clone it. Dash has gauges with warning lights, also a rebuilt tilt steering column was installed with new components. Has updated HEI distributor, starter and no coil. Also the generator light is staying on all the time. Any help is appreciated.

[Schrade]

Originally Posted by tba1975

I have a 1971 Chevelle malibu that I purchased recently and am having problems with the engine not turning off with the key at all. Even bigger problem, the owner passed away two days after buying car, so unable to ask him questions. It doesn't have original motor, has a more recent 350. I decided to buy all new under the hood wiring and dash wiring, mainly since previous owner started to clone it. Dash has gauges with warning lights, also a rebuilt tilt steering column was installed with new components. Has updated HEI distributor, starter and no coil. Also the generator light is staying on all the time. Any help is appreciated.

Won't turn off, and has a new steering column... Hmm...

There's a steel rod connecting the the ignition switch (I think) that makes contact to start the starter circuit, and to cut it off. If your's is sticking 'on', time to check the connector. Try also to start the car without the key, since the connection might already be closed.

[MrPbody]

Schrade's surmise would be good if the starter refuses to "disengage". If the starter DOES disengage, move on to the next.

Can't exactly what, but it appears there's a wiring problem. The "gen" light staying on is usually from some sort of "feedback" where the diode pack isn't working or something is plugged in the wrong place. Since it cranks, but doesn't "kill", I would suspect one of the wires leading to or from the ignition switch is hooked up to a "hot all the time" wire. Once cranked up, it supplies voltage to the coil without using the switch. It could also be as simple as one of the "hot" wires is hooked directly to the coil when it should go to say, horn relay or other such "hot all the time" circuit underhood.

Place to "start", anyway. Best of luck.

Jim

[mdcamaro]

The coil is built into the top of the distributor cap.

This is called "run on" usually the engine timing is off.

The gen light may come from a mis-match of the generator and the original wiring. Go to the local auto parts store take a photo with your cell phone of the back of the new generator and compare it to the one you have.

[MrPbody]

"Run on" is also known more accurately as "dieseling". That's a fuel-related issue where the octane isn't high enough to support the compression ratio. Ignition timing has no affect on this, but is a common "misconception".

Jim

[Tony Silva]

try running a wire fron the ignition switch directly to the BAT terminal on the distriburor.Find the pink wire under the dash...on the steering column...that is the 12+ feed to the dizzy.