njbozic

I have fully rebuilt my 2.5L AMC Engine Carb. Have everything back in place and hooked up, I turn the key to fire the engine, it starts when I press the gas, but as soon as I let the key go, or lay off the gas, the engine shuts off. I have replaced the ignition switch, ignition lock, ignition module, and reset the timing. But its still the same thing.


My wife is about to kill if I don't get it started, what else should I look at?

cypher

First thing that just popped in my head is the idle setting. If it's too low, it won't idle by itself. But if your saying that as soon as you let the key go, it cuts out...hmm, not sure about that one. Maybe a bad contact or wire somewhere. That's all I got dude, sorry.

njbozic

I searched, and cant seem to find how to fix the idle setting. I dont believe there is a sensor, could I be wrong?

GI-Jeepin'

What else did you do to it when you removed the carb? Was it running fine before the carb got switched out? I agree with Cypher in that the Idle Air Circuit is out of adjustment. You cant fix the Idle speed, you adjust it. There should be a small screw, normally made out of brass but not always. It should need a small flat tipped screwdriver. Turn it to the right till it seats, but do not torque it down, just a gentle snug. Now back it out a full 2 to 2 1/2 turns. It might idle high after doing this but thats ok. Turn it in slowly till you get to the specified RPM with your timing light.

As far as the key issue, I am curious to see what else was done since the carb rebuild.

njbozic

This is the deal, prior to pulling the engine for rebuild, I purchased a new weber 32/36 carb, and brand new distributor assembly. New coil, and new ignition module. Car was running fine for months, no problems. Until I had an enormous blow by, due to old car that sat for many years. I pulled the engine, fully rebuilt it, new cam, new pistons, oil pump, the whole nine. When I put it all back in, I had a timing problem, it was off two teeth. I fixed that, and then it started with this problem. I changed the module, it was shot, got a new coil, new soleinoid, and new ignition lock. Ill put those in, and see if it works. The carb was never rebuilt, just took it off and put it back on.

GI-Jeepin'

I dont mean to insult your intelligence because you obviously sound like you know your way around an engine. IS it possible that two wires got crossed. When you turn on a car, the key turned to the forward most position engages the starter, then when you release the key it moves back one spot leaving the ignition circuit closed (operating). It sounds like the starter circuit and ignition circuits are crossed somewhere. So when you let the key go as you said before, its not keeping the engine running.

njbozic

I will see tomorrow , didn't work today on the car . So I will look it tomorrow ........ once more thank you very much for your help

sycoglitch

This might be a long shot and not your issue but a few weeks back my jeep would die and when I had to jump start it it would start up but would die immediately after releasing the gas. I had to stay on the pedal at about 1000-1200 rpm for a few minutes to charge the battery. Turned out my alt wire on the positive was lose and wasn't charging the battery fully but I did have lights radio etc. and it wasn't the IAC that was cleaned well prior to that. After redoing my battery wire and terminal clamps problem fixed. It can be something to look into

njbozic

Thanks man I will look tomorrow, thanks guys

94zjdriver

Does it cut off as in no spark or slowly die as in a bad timing or carb setting issue.. From What i've read sounds like an immediate cut off which would point toward an electrical issue such as GI Jeeping said in post 6. I had to same problem with a rod I built and it was the not having the inginion wiring crossed.. easy to do when rewiring an entire car.

njbozic

I chang coil and solenoid , now starts right up I don't need to step on gas anymore . But if I let a key go it cuts off power to distributer and I can't found were .....

njbozic

It was alarm cut of switch lol

ol"blue

Glad you figured it out. It looks great.