Car starts and won't stop

[Dragondigger]

Just acquired 1957 minor. Previous owner seems to have changed the wiring after fitting later 1098 engine. Car starts with key but then won't stop. I read a post where someone had the same problem but realised where they had gone wrong. Unfortunately the cause of the problem was deleted.
Could someone send me a P M telling me what the problem could be (I think it is to do with the wiring to the ignition switch).
This has me pulling my hair out and I don't have much to start with.

[bmcecosse]

Welcome to the forum... You say the engine starts and then won't switch off, or do you mean the starter runs and won't stop running? Either way - it is an electrical problem - OR the Ignition switch is faulty. If the problem lies with the starter - it could be faulty solenoid. To avoid any back feed - if you remove the two fuses from the fuse links - does the same problem exist ?

[Dragondigger]

I mean the engine runs on. The starter is fine. I've tried a new ignition switch as well. There is a previous post with the same problem but the solution was removed as (I think) it may be useful for those of the criminal fraternity to steal our cars.
If anyone could send me a message with what the wiring error was i would be for ever in your debt.

And merry Christmas all.

[simmitc]

If by "runs on" you mean that you turn the ignition off and then the engine runs for a short while and then stops, then that is different from just continuing to run until, for example, you stall it. If it is just running on then you could have the ignition timing too far advanced or a too weak mixture, through either poor adjustment or an air leak.

[Dragondigger]

If by "runs on" you mean that you turn the ignition off and then the engine runs for a short while and then stops, then that is different from just continuing to run until, for example, you stall it. If it is just running on then you could have the ignition timing too far advanced or a too weak mixture, through either poor adjustment or an air leak.

Sorry, I've not explained things very well. The engine will just keep going unless |make it stall. I.E. it won't stop when I turn the ignition to off.

[bmcecosse]

You mean it just keeps on running -perfectly normally - not just for a few seconds ? I asked above - does it still do it with both fuses temporarily removed? When you stall it - are the rad ignition and yellow oil lights glowing ?

[Dragondigger]

Thanks for your patience BMCEcosse. As it is now dark I will see what happens when I remove the fuses tomorrow. When I stall it the ignition and oil lights are on as normal but they do go off when I start the engine.
Thanks again for your help and patience.

[bmcecosse]

Ok well - on the face of it, it looks like the Ignition switch is faulty - ON all the time no matter what you do with the key? Did this suddenly happen - or was any other work being done to the electrics? I assume you disconnect the battery to put the lights out? So - when you reconnect - are the red and orange lights on right away?

[Dragondigger]

Thanks bmcecosse,

I've tried a new ignition switch already. The guy my son got the car from seems to have had all sorts of fun with the wiring and has used just about any wire he could find in any colour. Behind the speedo there is the brown and blue wire which goes on terminal 3, a red wire which he used to replace what should have been a white and red wire going to terminal 1 of the ignition switch, then finally there are 3 white wires (when there should only be 2 which would go on terminal 2. I have tried various combinations of the white wires and when I use one particular white wire with either of the other 2 the ignition stays on permanently.
What a nightmare.

[bmcecosse]

Right - well the problem must be the mixed up white wires. Try just one at a time on the switch and see which one brings on the red/orange lights when you switch on. The engine should then run/stop on the switch. There may be nothing lelse working at this stage - but one step at a time ! The brown/blue wire is the supply to the Ign switch - and the red wire seems to be going to the solenoid and operating it ok. Just put a bit of tape round the other two 'white' wires and keep them all separate from each other. You can then try each remaining white wire in turn to see what they activate. Note you may not initially get the fuelpump running - but you should get sufficient running from the engine to show you are on the right track!

[Dragondigger]

Thank you very much for the help. I will try that out tomorrow once I've done enough of the pre Christmas chores to satisfy my lovely wife.

Thank you for your kindness and a very merry Christmas to you bmcecosse

[Dragondigger]

Finally sorted.
bmcecosse - you were right about taking the fuse out (OK, I admit I seem to have done something rather stupid).
And there is no prize for guessing what I did!

[bmcecosse]

Don't tell me you had put the fuse in crossed over............that's how I used to start and drive my Dad's car up and down the street when I was ~12 .

[Neil MG]

Now this solution will be deleted too!

but the solution was removed as (I think) it may be useful for...

Edit required to your post Roy?

[Dragondigger]

Sorry. I think these dark nights are affecting the old grey matter.
In future I will remember to put the brain in gear before the fingers begin to move on the keyboard.