<VV> 64 run circuit problem Resolution

[Jim Becker]

A basic rule of troubleshooting is that you are only going to isolate a 
failure when the failure is occurring.  In your original post, you simply 
said: "Engine to dash harness has been electrically verified with ohm 
meter." without mentioning that you had done all this testing and measuring 
when the car was cold and capable of starting normally.

Hats off to Tom Berg.  In one of the first responses to your original 
question,  he took a "wild stab" that described almost exactly what was 
going on.

Jim Becker

-----Original Message----- 
From: Smitty via VirtualVairs
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2018 10:54 AM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject:  64 run circuit problem Resolution

Smitty says;  Finally after all these months.  We had checked voltage at the 
coil many times but never continuously while the engine was running.  Darned 
it didn’t start dropping the closer to the 20-30 minute time frame it got. 
Finally down to 4.5 volts and the engine died.  OK so we got a new clue, but 
still no answer why.  Now we noted that the voltage on the big red wire 
going forward through the belly pan was dropping also.  We had read out the 
wire from the coupling under the dash and back to the coupling in the engine 
compartment and all seemed well.  Except of course we had been reading it 
when nothing was operating and things were cool.  Now we knew to measure and 
feel for heat in the couplings when the engine had been running for a while. 
Sure enough. heat build up in the forward connector.  The red wire and 
another pin showed evidence of corrosion so they were well scraped and 
cleaned and treated with contact cleaner.  The connector was coated with 
dielectric grease and put back together.  No more voltage drop at the coil. 
So the initial problem was solved but it leaves me with a question.  Why was 
that making the ballast resistor overheat.  Maybe one of you electricians 
would enlighten me.