OK, I'm Stumped!

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cptndon

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I was on my way to our local Cars & Coffee yesterday morning when the engine died. It would run only with the starter. The starter switch isn't the problem. That failed a long time ago and hasn't been replaced yet. When I got the car back home I started checking for loose wires or anything else obvious. The 8 amp fuse in position 7 was blown. I replaced it and, voila, the engine runs again.

So my question is: what circuits does that fuse protect?

BTW: the car is an early '73 CS, built Nov/Dec '72

Thanks!
 
Chokes and a bunch of other warning lights. The choke circuit also goes to the idle valves on the carbs. No power- no fuel-no running.

Check all the green wires around both carbs.
 
Sorry, I should have included that the car was converted to Weber downdrafts w/hot water chokes and no fuel cut off solenoids.

This was definitely an issue of no ignition.

Also, there's a relay in the dash that I can hear click when the power is turned on.

Thanks!
 
... and it blew for a reason. Maybe an old fuse, but that's usually way down the list of causes.
 
cptndon said:
Also, there's a relay in the dash that I can hear click when the power is turned on.
Click to expand...

That's the "load shedding relay". Many of the high amperage loads are powered by that relay, rather than through the ignition switch - I assume to preserve the switch. As long as it is clicking, it probably isn't your problem.

The starter switch isn't the problem. That failed a long time ago and hasn't been replaced yet.
Click to expand...

Hmm - then, how do you start the car?

The wiring diagram that I have for my '70 shows fuse #7 powering the gauges, electric chokes, and optional electric fuel pump. Were your gauges not registering when you had this problem? Does your car have an electric fuel pump?

It has nothing to do with fuse #7, but a bad ballast resistor would give the symptom you describe. The coil would get juice from the starter during starting, but would receive no power through an open resistor once the key was turned back to "run".
 
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