engine starting but won't keep running

[tommy]

Hey guys,

keep reading your posts since I bought a 82 CF2 (ex Ambulance) and its in terrible condition atm but redo the interior completely.

I took the van 2 times on a longer trip for a weekend camping adventure which was great fun, however, since working on it and not using it for about 3-4 months I noticed the following:

- cranking the engine and engine will start (after a little while  )
- as long as I keep holding the key to crank the engine will run but letting it go makes the engine just stop.

I believe it's bad wiring and I'm sure you guys have more experience with a CF than me so any recommendations are appreciated.

I'm also trying to put a stereo head unit in but can't find cables for that. Any ideas?

Cheers,
Thomas

[ben]

ignition barrel stuffed and not sending current to the distributor after you let go of the key.

run a 12v feed to the coil with a switch on it. turn switch on, turn key and it should keep running.

had this before

dont forget to turn coild 12v feed off when turning off van or youll have a flat battery pretty soon.


cheers
ben

[greasey monkey]

- cranking the engine and engine will start (after a little while  )
- as long as I keep holding the key to crank the engine will run but letting it go makes the engine just stop.

I believe it's bad wiring and I'm sure you guys have more experience with a CF than me so any recommendations are appreciated.

Hi Thomas,
 nice to see another kiwi on the site.
 Bedford wiring is very fickle and temperamental so the easy way round it would be to run your own wiring for the stereo, it is very easy and simple to do, and that way you will know it works.
as for not starting it sounds like it could be a fuel issue, maybe its not getting enough fuel to the carb, or the fuel may have gone stale after sitting for some time. so it would pay to check things like the fuel lines to see if the carb is getting gas to it, check if your fuel pump is working and go from there
hope that is of some help

Scott

[matty]

If I was to have a guess, not knowing the finer details of your van, I would be having a look at that little white ceramic thing somewhere near the coil I would guess, a ballast resistor I believe it’s called. Its used to reduce the voltage to the coil on points system ignition but on cranking its by passed to allow maximum spark on start up (you would burn points out fairly quickly running 12Volts threw them constantly).

Check to see if its getting voltage at the input side of the ballast resistor then see what voltage if any comes out the other side. Change if you’re not getting any power on the output side and it should be up and running again in no time.

That is assuming you have a points system ignition.

[Rogue Trooper]

Ben's answer sounds on the money to me. If it turns out you need a new ignition barrel let me know. I've got one on my old steering column that should do the trick and it even has a key!

[ben]

a key is a bonus lol

[jimmyfreak]

better than scissors...