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Jeep Won't Shut Off!!

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by M38A1 Dauntless, Jul 29, 2021.

  1. M38A1 Dauntless

    M38A1 Dauntless New Member

    Embarrassed to admit, but after the HEI install, went driving and it ran like a champ. But the part I didn't say, was that when I tried to shut it off with the key, it keeps running. On the cap, one connection says BAT, so I ran a wire from this to the battery. So I thought that must be the problem, they meant ignition, not battery. So I ran it to the middle post of the switch. Started it up, drove to work, F-ER WON'T SHUT OFF, so I jump out and kill the battery with the inline switch I put in there and it keeps running, because ya, it don't run off the battery after it starts.

    Do I have the wires going to the first two posts on the ignition switch reversed? Would this permit a connection and still have the starter start? It could be simple as that, but maybe I did something else wrong?
    Should be hot on #1 post, lights and hei (and one other wire there that i don't know but COULD BE A HOT WIRE) on #2 ,and starter solenoid on #3?

    It all worked with the old cap, tho.
     
  2. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    You have something, like the alternator, back-feeding into the ignition switch. It's common for the alternator to be connected to the ignition switch via the exciter wire. The alternator makes it's own power - does not need the battery. What kind of alternator (or generator)? Check the wiring diagram.
     
    Jw60 likes this.
  3. Jw60

    Jw60 That guy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    The hei is typically just a wire going to the run or ignition terminal on the ignition switch.
    If it is on the accessory terminal with the alternator it will run on the power from the alternator.
     
  4. Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

    How'd you get it shut off, block off the carburetor inlet?
     
    Siskiwit likes this.
  5. sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    You need a diode in the alternator wiring. If you don’t have an indicator light in the wiring it backfeeds.
     
  6. M38A1 Dauntless

    M38A1 Dauntless New Member

    Bump stopped it 2 times.
    Then yesterday I tried to kill it that way and it just kept fighting, had to use both palms to choke it off.
    Could I just put a toggle switch on the line to the distributor and just shut it off like an airplane magneto? That was my plan, today, take a 1/2 day vacation and splice in a switch.
     
  7. jackdog

    jackdog Member

    You need to find the wire that fed the + side of the old coil. Use that wire to feed the HEI. If there was a ballast resistor remove it or jumper it.
     
    sterlclan likes this.
  8. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    @M38A1 Dauntless If you need a diode, shoot me your address in a PM and I’ll send you one. I have a few leftover from my build.