Hi I'm new here.I have a 77 maverick and I have recently developed problems.It all started when me and my brother installed a new radio in it.Everything seemed fine for a couple of days,the only thing was when you would turn the volume up to 20,the radio would turn off.We had to restart the car to turn it back on.A couple of days later we turned the volume up to 30 and the entire car shut off.From that point on,the car would not start.It's about 2 months later and we installed a new starter,solenoid,battery and ignition in it and we have come across more problems.Now the starter stays engaged when you turn on the car and the engine stays on after you remove the key.The only way to turn it off is to disconnect the negative battery cable.The radio is out now and we have run out of ideas.We need severe help.
start checkin wires. something wasnt wired right. I would start where the raido was connected and work my way back
I cant say I have ever heard of a problem like this. The radio was probly run off of the ignition switched power so I would make sure that the constant hot and switched hot arent both somehow the same circuit now. Check for melted wires, incorrect circuits, touching wires. Anything that you think shouldnt be. You dont happen to have a haynes manual or chiltons for that matter. They have wiring diagrams that would help you determine what is and what shouldnt be. This almost sounds like it has to be the ignition key to me. I would look at all that wiring and make sure that the key isnt screwed up. If the radio was wired into it you may have pulled to much current through it and shorted the circuit. I will try to find some diagrams for you.
actually. seriouslly check that ignition switch (key) out first. The more I think about it I think thats what it has to be
The part that the key goes into is called a tumbler. It pushes and pulls on a rod that moves a switch into diffrent positions. This switch is called an ignition switch. Probobly coinsidence that it failed while installing the radio or you shorted it.
It sounds to me like you may also have the two smaller wires on the starter solenoid hooked up backwards.
check radio wire sounds like something is feeding juice back into wireing to keep starter and ignition from shutting off
it really sounds like the key switch is sticking to me. Get a can of lock lube from the local hardware store and put the straw/spray tube on it and shoot it up into the slit where the key goes and then put the key in and work it on and off and put the key in and out a bunch of times. Sounds like something is hanging up. Mine did something similar one time when it was extremely cold outside. It started and the key switch hung and kept the starter engaged then after wiggling it the starter disengaged and the engine kept running after I took the key out then when I did get it shut off I got out and pumped a tank of gas and something was apparently still hung up because when I got back in the car to start it the battery was almost dead, it turned over just enough to start and I drove it home and sprayed it good and jump started the car and haven't (knock on wood) had any problems since BTW has it recently been colder than it has been?? If it has I would be that your problem is what I said above
yes it has been cold.I live in MA so that could be it.I think I am going to replace the ignition switch and tinker around with the wires to see if that works.
