So I went looking for the cause of the low voltage again today. Found that the coil (+) side of the ballast actually showed shorted to ground! Traced the other wire there back to the ignition switch, where it also goes off to the gauge cluster. I have a lot of unused wires in the dash, so I just nipped that wire off. Presto, short to ground gone! No change in voltage at coil. What??? Found that I lose about 1v turning the key on, even at the alternator post. Don't get that, either. The only other wire that goes to the ballast is the starting bypass, so I clipped that one to test it. Voila, 11+v at the coil! Got it to start by releasing the key slowly from 'crank'. STILL RUNS CRAPPY


Closed up the garage.

At this point, I'm so frustrated and angry with my own lack of ability to diagnose this, I'm ready to push the car and all my mechanic tools down to the end of the driveway with a big "FREE" sign on them.