Somewhere in the past, a PO must have had problems with the starter switch and instead of replacing it, bypassed the switch to the starter terminals and installed a "button" under the wheel housing.
I have encountered this before in my '67 Rover 2000 TC, but that was factory, and typically British, and I kind of liked it. Turn the key, pump the gas and push the button. Kind of neat in its own way.
This button has served me well for these past 12 months until a few days ago. Now I find myself catching rides because the "button" is not functioning properly and it seems to be draining current.
I went to start the car Sunday morning and noticed no generator light or seatbelt reminder buzzer, and although the starter turned over, the engine did not fire. The button was not engaging on the push "in", but on the "release", and the starter was hanging at the same time. After a few attempts, I pulled the plugs and did a spark test and found a very weak, intermittent spark to the plugs.
I replaced the coil with a spare and got better spark and the engine caught but would not accelerate, and died. After a few attempts, all of which started the engine but would not accelerate, I pulled a plug and checked for spark- again a very weak intermittent spark.
By now the battery is dicharging and with head lights turned on , the starter will not turn much at all and the lights dim to nothing.
So, what do ya'll think?? Multiple problems involving bad grounds or a really messed up starting switch/button??
What should be the ohms across a coils +- terminals or +center? Could a button like this be causing a short in the system when off ( the button can engage the starter without the key being used; its live) Where do I really begin to check the ignition/starter system
