1984 B2 starts, but dies when I let go of the key
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:52 am
Hey everyone – hope you guys don’t mind giving advice to someone quite a bit less technically savvy when it comes to working on vehicles… I can change the oil and do a tune-up (or at least most of one… unless I have missed something in the past... lol), but beyond that, part of this project is to actually learn more about it all.
So – onward with my problem. I have an 1984 B2 that has been sitting for about 2 years. We added some new gas to the tank (I don’t think there was much in there before, but the gauge doesn’t work…) and stole my tractor battery because the other one was dead. When I bought it at an auction 2 years ago, I drove it the few miles home and it was a little tough to start and keep running (died a few times) but it would go!
Right now, when I try to start it, the engine will turn over. I have to give it some gas to get it to start (not unusual but I say this just because I noticed that it initially responds to me pressing the gas pedal). However, once I let go of the key, no matter if I keep pressing the gas or not it just dies. While the key is turned forward to “start” if I press the gas, it revs up – but if I let go of the key it dies everytime immediately.
There is something going on with my battery cable connections, because sometimes I get no power at all or a clicking and if I go wiggle them around it will go back to normal. So that is on my list of things to fix, but I highly doubt it has anything to do with it dying right away.
A friend told me he thought it might be that it is getting too much air and not enough fuel (just from my description – he hasn’t seen it), and recommended I change the accelerator pump. I accomplished this task – which was my first (albeit small) victory! LOL. Unfortunately it did not make a difference…
I have read a lot of posts and I know very frequently there is a recommendation to change the fuel filters – it just seems like maybe that isn’t the problem (even though I KNOW it is a good idea since its old and has been sitting – so I will probly do that anyway). It responds to me pressing the gas when the key is turned but not when I let go of the key.
Here is what I know about my engine - carbureted, 2.8L v6 - standard transmission. I am sure I can figure out whatever else will help. After reading all the tech stuff on here, I feel rather dumb since I don't know more - but hey... my pride is less important than my B2... LMAO!
Once income tax times comes around, I will have some money to spend and I may have to haul it down to a real mechanic – because I need it running for transportation a few days a week, but I am really, really hoping to do this myself…
Thanks in advance for any advice!!! Here is a pic of my project before I have done much of anything to it (before I let it sit there too long)…

So – onward with my problem. I have an 1984 B2 that has been sitting for about 2 years. We added some new gas to the tank (I don’t think there was much in there before, but the gauge doesn’t work…) and stole my tractor battery because the other one was dead. When I bought it at an auction 2 years ago, I drove it the few miles home and it was a little tough to start and keep running (died a few times) but it would go!
Right now, when I try to start it, the engine will turn over. I have to give it some gas to get it to start (not unusual but I say this just because I noticed that it initially responds to me pressing the gas pedal). However, once I let go of the key, no matter if I keep pressing the gas or not it just dies. While the key is turned forward to “start” if I press the gas, it revs up – but if I let go of the key it dies everytime immediately.
There is something going on with my battery cable connections, because sometimes I get no power at all or a clicking and if I go wiggle them around it will go back to normal. So that is on my list of things to fix, but I highly doubt it has anything to do with it dying right away.
A friend told me he thought it might be that it is getting too much air and not enough fuel (just from my description – he hasn’t seen it), and recommended I change the accelerator pump. I accomplished this task – which was my first (albeit small) victory! LOL. Unfortunately it did not make a difference…
I have read a lot of posts and I know very frequently there is a recommendation to change the fuel filters – it just seems like maybe that isn’t the problem (even though I KNOW it is a good idea since its old and has been sitting – so I will probly do that anyway). It responds to me pressing the gas when the key is turned but not when I let go of the key.
Here is what I know about my engine - carbureted, 2.8L v6 - standard transmission. I am sure I can figure out whatever else will help. After reading all the tech stuff on here, I feel rather dumb since I don't know more - but hey... my pride is less important than my B2... LMAO!
Once income tax times comes around, I will have some money to spend and I may have to haul it down to a real mechanic – because I need it running for transportation a few days a week, but I am really, really hoping to do this myself…
Thanks in advance for any advice!!! Here is a pic of my project before I have done much of anything to it (before I let it sit there too long)…
