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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => Pinto FAQ => Topic started by: blupinto on January 19, 2012, 10:21:50 PM

Title: Ok That Was Weird!
Post by: blupinto on January 19, 2012, 10:21:50 PM

This morning I drove Ruby RedHot (like usual). She stalled less than a mile away from home (she hiccups and conks out but starts right up). Well this time after she started and we were on our merry way to work I looked at the instrument cluster and saw right away that my 3/4 tank of gas was beyond the E! "That's weird," I thought. When I went to make a lane change I also noticed my turn signal indicators weren't working... and so assumed that the signals themselves were defunct as well. The car wasn't running crappy like I was out of fuel or the battery was shot so I figured it might be a fuse. When I got to work I shut Ruby off and proceeded to look the fuse info up in her owner's manual... nothing really. My headlights and cigar lighter worked, as did my gauge lights and heater. I thought, "Let me test something...", so I turned Ruby on again... and my fuel gauge works again, as does my turn signal indicator. I understand computer stuff can reset after you turn it off... but a '71 car!?! Can anyone shed light on this weird phenomenon? I appreciate it.  ;D

Title: Re: Ok That Was Weird!
Post by: RSM on January 19, 2012, 10:41:05 PM

Good possibility it was the ignition switch. The switch has several sets of contacts to different circuits in the car. It probably didn't make good contact on one or two and you got the glitch that you described. If this happens again jiggle the ignition switch a little and see if everything starts working again. If it does then its switch time.

Title: Re: Ok That Was Weird!
Post by: blupinto on January 20, 2012, 12:11:11 AM

Thank you! This was the first time it happened to me. Very weird.

Title: Re: Ok That Was Weird!
Post by: dga57 on January 20, 2012, 12:57:03 AM

Quote from: RSM on January 19, 2012, 10:41:05 PM

Good possibility it was the ignition switch. The switch has several sets of contacts to different circuits in the car. It probably didn't make good contact on one or two and you got the glitch that you described. If this happens again jiggle the ignition switch a little and see if everything starts working again. If it does then its switch time.

Becky, this is excellent advice.  My '83 Ford F150 did the same thing from time to time and a quick jiggle of the switch restored everything to normal. 
Dwayne :)

Title: Re: Ok That Was Weird!
Post by: r4pinto on January 20, 2012, 04:33:06 PM

 :o :o :o
 
That is really good advice Becky, my 77 has even done that a time or two & I have replaced the switch.

Title: Re: Ok That Was Weird!
Post by: pintogirl on January 20, 2012, 06:06:42 PM

Yep, that is what is wrong with Nellie Belle. I have to play with the switch to get everything to work.  Hopefully we will be fixing this before Knotts!