regal won't turn off (sbc)

[rwrows]

hey guys,

my buddy has an 87 buick regal with a sbc and the car won't turn off when you turn the key off. it doesn't have an msd box in it. i know my chevelle acted like this when i put my crane hi-6 ignition box in and i had to put a diode on the voltage regulator. well this regal has the voltage regulator built in to the alternator. which diode do i need to get and what do i hook it up to? thanks a million in advance.

 

[turbofabricator]

What ignition system does the car have? HEI?

 

[rwrows]

HEI. what do you think?

 

[turbofabricator]

Did this problem just start happening, or is this a new install? Also, try unplugging the alternator two wire plug and see if it shuts the car off. If so, it needs a diode in-line there. The HEI ignition needs FULL voltage to the batt terminal on the dist. cap. I would suggest wiring in a 10ga, wire from the back of the alternator and run it through a 30 amp relay. I think there is a kit available from M.A.D.D. or maybe even Caspers has one.

 

[rwrows]

i'm not really sure. whoever put the motor in did some shotty wiring work. here's what i think happend. my buddy bought the car and it was constantly draining the battery when the car was off. he took it to a mechanic and the guy changed some things around and i think put a new alternator in. no all of the sudden, most of the time, the car won't shut off when you turn the key off.

 

[turbofabricator]

The "shoddy wiring" deal makes this a real problem child to figure out over the 'net. With out having the car in front of me it's nearly impossible to figure out. Try using a relay inline to the dist. 12v connector. That will solve it, for sure.

 

[rwrows]

don't know if this helps but my buddy tells me that when the key is off, and the car is still running, he unplugged something on the alternator and the car turned off? this mean anything?

 

[turbofabricator]

Yep, bad wiring job. The alternator is back feeding the ignition system. He'll have to install a diode in the alternator field wire or wire in a relay and get full voltage from the alternator charge output wire. The HEI NEEDS all the power it can get. Here is a ready made kit: Catalog

 

[rwrows]

great! thanks a lot man.