Starts but shuts off

[stev1019]

I have a 1983 delorean with a running issue. When you start the car it runs. However you have to keep the key in the start position to keep it running. Iam thinking it may be the switch. Does anyone know of any thing else to try. I killed my starter getting it home. I decided to rebuild the starter and alternator. So that should be good. Are there any diagrams on how it comes apart thanks.

[AdmiralSenn]

A few things to check.

There are resistors in the engine compartment on the firewall - search the forum for 'ignition resistors'. One of the wires being loose, corroded, or even falling off could cause this.

Alternately one of the wires on your main or auxiliary relay could be loose. The resistors are more likely, though.

[opethmike]

I can almost promise you that one of the wires has either come loose, or fallen off of the ballast resistors in the engine bay. That EXACT thing happened to me a few months ago. Take a few minutes to clean up those connections, re-connect them, and tighten them up.

[DMC5180]

I have a 1983 delorean with a running issue. When you start the car it runs. However you have to keep the key in the start position to keep it running. Iam thinking it may be the switch. Does anyone know of any thing else to try. I killed my starter getting it home. I decided to rebuild the starter and alternator. So that should be good. Are there any diagrams on how it comes apart thanks.

+1 on checking the resistor wire connections.

What we really want to know is, how far you drove grinding the shit out of the starter instead of calling a tow truck? What did it cost to REBUILD the starter as opposed to replacing it? Where did you source the parts to rebuild it?

[stev1019]

+1 on checking the resistor wire connections.

What we really want to know is, how far you drove grinding the shit out of the starter instead of calling a tow truck? What did it cost to REBUILD the starter as opposed to replacing it? Where did you source the parts to rebuild it?

The starter and alternator were rebuilt by a starter and alternator rebuilder it coast 200.00. I do not have a cell phone. The resistors value should be what I have electronic know how. I have a dmm with an ohm meter. The bendex was bad on the starter. The alternator I rebuilt because of the age of the car and I did not know its condition. Parts were not to bad had issues getting a regulator for the alternator. I checked all my relays put 12 volt source on it heard click and 0 ohms. I drove about 20 miles it was a combine effort of me and my dad I held the key worked the clutch my dad worked the gears yeah it's a stick. I checked the fly wheel it's ok thank good. I started out with a rich running car after a long go around it was the fuel accumulator. I wll live my dream or die trying. Thanks for your input I will get back to you.

[Ron]

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5940&d=1318280757

[nullset]

I have a 1983 delorean with a running issue. When you start the car it runs. However you have to keep the key in the start position to keep it running. Iam thinking it may be the switch. Does anyone know of any thing else to try. I killed my starter getting it home. I decided to rebuild the starter and alternator. So that should be good. Are there any diagrams on how it comes apart thanks.


How long has this car been sitting? What did you do to it to try to get it going?

It sounds like you've got a lot of restoration work ahead of you. If it's been sitting for a while, what's the condition of the gas tank and injectors?

--buddy