Car runs so good it doesn't want to quit running!

I recently purchased my first Corvette, a 1975 Stingray. It drove home fine with no problems at all. When I got in the driveway and switched the key off, the engine kept on running. I finally lifted the hood and choked the carb to kill the engine. The car does not do this every time, just once in a while. Someone suggested the ignition switch is bad. Another said it could be the alternator has a short in it. Has anyone had this problem before I start troubleshooting in the wrong direction? Thanks.

classiccarnut

[78SilvAnniv]

Welcome to Corvette Action Center.
I don't have an answer for your problem, I at first thought you meant it was dieseling, but it appears that it just continues to run normally.
Someone will be along shortly who will be able to guide you in the right direction.
Tell us more about your new vette!
Heidi

[MsSchroder]

Gary,
Welcome to the CAC!

[Rob]

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center. I'm going to move your thread into the C3 Tech Forum for greater exposure to your problem. Hopefully someone in there can help you out.

[Zektor]

Hi,
I had, what sounds to be exactly the same problem you had. Sometimes I would switch off the ignition and pull the key out and the engine would still be running!!!

Being quite experienced with cars etc. I knew straight away that this was not an engine fault. At first I just, lightly hit the ignition area with my hand just in case something was stuck... didn't cure it.

Then I decided to push the dashboard area just under the rev-counter... aha!! The engine stopped. This went on for months, it didn't always do it so I wasn't major fussed.

In the end I fitted a whole new interior to my '82 including new door trims. When I had finished, my car had the problem nearly all the time. I found out that the new door trims... when the door was closed was actually pushing the dashboard towards the bulkhead (firewall) slightly causing my car to keep on running. On opening the door, the engine would stop!!!

After a lot of mucking about, I finally found out what the cause of the problem was. One of the thicker parts of the wiring loom was nylon strapped (from the factory) to a whole on a metal mount on the steering column. Over the space of 20 years or so, the mount had "worn" through the insulation on the loom and started cutting through the sheath of one of the wires... therefore every now and then, there would be a "short" that would keep the engine running!!!

Anyway, I took off the nylon strap and insulated the loom further. The loom now no longer rubs against the metal bracket... therefore problem resolved!!!

Good Luck
Dazza

Thanks for all the input on my problem. Sounds like I should check out the loom under the dash first. As soon as it quits snowing and warms up a bit here I will check it out and let you know what I find. Thanks again.

Gary

WOW Dazza,

That tidbit of info is really worth a million bucks to someone with the same problem. Chasing down electrical problems can be time consuming and major frustration. I'm going to put that into my memory (or whats left of it) for the future. In fact I think I will take a look at that area today on my 75.

Roy

My old Trans AM used to do that. I got tired of looking for the problem, and just starting turning the ignition off in neutral, then shift to park.