Greetings from Nova Scotia,Canada.
I have a 1975 Datsun B210. 1400cc engine .
Went for a drive today and the engine stalled at a stoplight. When I tried to restart it, the engine tried to start up but backfired and quit as soon as I let go the igntion key. I managed to get the car home by keeping the ignition key turned to just before engaging the starter and holding it there. As soon as I let go the key,the car stalled again. Is this a bad relay somewhere? Thanks in advance.
Bobbrown46@netscape.net

Sounds like a bad ignition switch. This is the electrical thing attached to the back of the key barrell.

Thanks for the reply. Still trying to track down the problem. Spoke to the last owner who had a similar problem. He put in a new fuel filter and that did the fix. What I can't understand is why the car runs perfect with me holding the ignition key on. Might be the ballast relay?? I'll try running a wire from the battery to the coil directly. If this works,would a 12volt coil be the thing to go for??

Not Really. Sounds like a dud ballast resistor to me. Measure the voltage to the coil when the key is at ignition position.

But it could also be a dud ignition switch.

It can't be anything else, if holding the key in a position helps to keep it running.

I agree, definately a dud ballast resistor. I had this prob in my old 1600 and a couple of customers cars.

G'day mate,
I had exactly the same problem. It was caused by dirt all stacked up in the Carby. That's why the last owner gave it a temporary fix with a new filter. It doesn't sound like it could be the problem, but if you pull your carby apart you will probably find that there is a build up of gunk all caused by dirty fuel. I had to drive home 3 hours with this problem once, boy was I tired and angry when I got home.
Cheers,
Stu.

yeah i had that problem too once, the wire had come loose inside the terminal on the ballast resistor. check it out by giving a light pull on all the wires.

Thanks for the responses. I've taken the ballast resistor and coil out and will get them checked today. If they turn out good then I'll clean the carb and check the ignition switch. BTW,the car wouldn't try to fire up today. Turned over,but that's all. I tried the direct wires from the battery to the coil,- to -,,+ to +,, and saw a little wisp of white smoke curling up from the bottom of the dizzy where it goes into the engine block. Hope I haven't buggered up something else..

Quote:I had that happen once ... the wires in the distributor -- if loose -- can move enough to cause this. Just tighten everything, put it back together and if it runs fine, so be it.

same prob i am having. i will be buying a new ignition sitch and i will let you know how i go.