1972 Chevy Corvette ignition

1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
90,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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HOWIER72
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  • 1 POST
My 72 350/auto has got me baffled. I put a voltmeter on the ignition side of the coil with the key in the "on" position and got a reading of about 6.5 volts. Turning the ignition to "run" shows about 12v and starts the car, all OK so far it seems. But when the key returns to the "run" position, the voltage stays around 12v. Shouldn't this go back to 6.5v? The ignition wire (switch to coil) seemed very warm, almost hot, so I changed the ignition switch, no change. Any ideas?
Thanks
Oct 6, 2010 at 5:11 PM
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RASMATAZ
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 75,992 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Check the resistance wire. How many wires do you see on the positive terminal of the coil and also at the starter motor solenoid? If you have two small terminal at the starter motor one is use for the ignition bypass -the purpose for it is to apply full battery voltage to coil during cranking once the engine starts the resistance wire takes over the power for the coil from the ignition switch-
Oct 6, 2010 at 5:50 PM
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