Trigger, my formerly faithfull 1980 CJ5 Jeep (258-6 cyl) decided I needed to walk some yesterday and died about 1/2 mile from the house. I parked it in the nearest parking lot and came back to wrench on it later. Pulled the air cleaner, yanked on the carb - definately getting plenty of gas. Turned the key, it starts - turn key to run - it dies. Hold key in the start position for couple of seconds, it is running, turn key to run, it dies. Back in the day, this was most likely a ballast resistor problem. I figured the equivelent on the modern 1980 Jeep was the electronic control box (which was still original equipment). Plunked down $59 for a new one which they amazingly had in stock, bolted it on, turned key - it starts - turn key to run - it DIES. #*@# was all I could think of. Where do I look now?

Ignition switch? not where you insert the key, that's just the lock, it's farther down the steering coloum connected to the lock with a rod. Cost $12. A bit of a pain in the back to change but not a big deal.

Check the coil voltage with the key at start and run.

Do you have a stock coil?? If you do you'll have an external resister if that goes out it will fry the coil my buddys '81 Cj7 w/ 258 just went throught that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

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1980 cj5 35" mudders SOA 258 .30 over Headman hedders 2100 carb

My bet's on the ignition switch or wiring harness.... or both. The coil wouldn't be an issue....
The only other thing would be proper voltage getting sucked by something. Bad connection some place, on the sylenoid or a relay some place... Did you replace the tin box or the aluminum one? the aluminum one is the one that they will have in stock most places.... BigJim would know more about this, it's found also on a lot of fords. the tin box is different, located across the engine from the aluminum one and has some wires that meet up with the alternator and some other things, it is the relay box for lots of stuff, located in a high place near the grill so it will stay dry... yea, right....

Okay, have a nice day and good luck! let us know what you find out so we can learn from this.

JeePete and NCBBA2358 called it, it was the ignition switch on the steering column. Got a replacement for $7.00, put it on - Jeep fired right up and ran with key in run position. Only problem was none of the accessories powered through the fuse box worked (gauges, wipers, blower motor, etc). Put the old switch on, fuse block items still had power so nothing electrical got cooked but it still wouldn't run. Went to different auto parts store and got a $9.00 switch. Put it on and all was good, had power to fuse block and Jeep starts and runs as normal. Appreciate all the help. The two switches I bought looked identical so ask for the one that cost $2.00 more. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rodent.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Just think how much better the $12 must be! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Gotta love these antique Jeeps when it comes time to checkout at the parts store! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />