Damage to Ignition Switch?

[Bruce48D24]

After jumping out of the driver seat of my D24 to stop a carburetor fuel leak, I left the key in the ignition in the "on" position.  And to make matters worse I had a battery tender charger on the battery.  A couple of days later I found what I had done!  I looked under the dash at the ignition switch, the wires were still intact and I noticed an in-line fuse holder which had a buss sfe 14 fuse in it.  It might be blown but my ohm meter is not working - so, I'm not sure.

What potential damage did I do to the ignition system?  I won't have any time to investigate it further until tomorrow.

Any ideas or what my best course of action should be?

 

Thanks,

Bruce  

[Plymouthy Adams]

not until you report back any negative aspects of the start, run or charging systems....

[Niel Hoback]

Depends on whether the points were open or closed while the ignition was on. Other than burning the points, I don't think any damage would be done.

[Oldguy48]

If the points happened to be closed for that time period, I would be more concerned about the ignition coil. I doubt that your ignition switch suffered any damage.

Wayne

[TodFitch]

If the points happened to be closed for that time period, I would be more concerned about the ignition coil. I doubt that your ignition switch suffered any damage.

Wayne

 

Definitely! The coil is not designed for 100% duty cycle and can overheat if just left with current running through it all the time.

[dpollo]

  I agree.  The ignition coil would be the victim   but it may also have survived.

[Bruce48D24]

Thanks for your quick replies.  I was lucky this time, after replacing the in-line fuse going to the back of the ignition switch, it started right up!  I guess that says something about Dodge Dependability!  Hopefully I won't do something that stupid again. 

 

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[greg g]

I would dress the points with a points file, they could be a BT toasted after that situation.

[Oldguy48]

Thanks for your quick replies.  I was lucky this time, after replacing the in-line fuse going to the back of the ignition switch, it started right up!  I guess that says something about Dodge Dependability!  Hopefully I won't do something that stupid again. 

 

Thanks,

Bruce

Bruce,

Don't feel bad about doing something "stupid". We all do stuff like that from time to time. It's all about being human. Life would be boring if we all were perfect.

Wayne

[Niel Hoback]

   I am curious about what the in-line fuse was for?  Why would it blow?  The clock?

[Don Coatney]

   I am curious about what the in-line fuse was for?  Why would it blow?  The clock?

Good point Niel. Per the book the clock requires a 2 amp fuse. The radio requires a 14 amp fuse but the location is not given. I found no fuses in a quick scan of the wiring diagram. Lights have a 30 amp circuit breaker.