Electrical issue question starting car

[transam]

Hi,
Car started fine yesterday. Today I turned the key, car started right up and as soon as I released the key she died. Did this several times with the same ending. If I hold the key all the way in the start position, it appeas to want to stay running until I release the key. Seems this happened on another mopar I had. Am I correct that this is caused by a faulty ballast resistor?

 

[pschlosser]

Am I correct that this is caused by a faulty ballast resistor?

You are right. This is the first thing I would check. If the ballast resistor looks good, then check the wiring through it, all the way back to the ignition switch.

While cranking, the ballast resistor is bypassed until you release the key to run position.

 

[540HemiCuda]

Yep. We used to carry a spare ballast resistor in the glove box. They were that unreliable.

 

[transam]

You are right. This is the first thing I would check. If the ballast resistor looks good, then check the wiring through it, all the way back to the ignition switch.

While cranking, the ballast resistor is bypassed until you release the key to run position.

Changed ballast resistor and still having same problem. As long as I hold key in the start position the car will run. As soon as I release the key the engine stops? I think my ECU may be faulty.

 

[540HemiCuda]

Check your incoming power on the run circuit TO the ECU first.

 

[Challenger RTA]

Bulkhead connector and steering column plug. DBL WHT tracer. Push the connectors together first. Might be loose.

 

[pschlosser]

on these 50+ year old cars, the connector points through the electrical system can get "iffy." A good cleaning of each connection point can give you piece of mind and may last another 50 years. There are some spiffy tools to help you remove the crimped (bullet and spade) connectors from the plastic connection points without harming them. They look something like: