Hey Guys this is on my old '79 Dodge Van. It cranks and cranks and cranks and will usually start eventually (after a battery charge or 2) but here's what I think is happening. It seems like maybe the ignition is not getting power when the key is in the start position (while cranking). Seems like when I release the key to the run position it wants to try to start.
As I remember, a typical ballast problem is that the car will start fine, but stall when you release the key to the run position. My problem seems to be just the opposite. Any ideas ?? Thx

Try turning the key to the run position and then turn it over by the solenoid... the only you will really know if that is the case.

I bet you have the distributor with 2 pick up coils one for start one for run try switching the two and see if it changes, you probably have a bad pick up for the start side right now.

How do you tell which pickup is the start pickup of the two that are in the distributor?

Interesting post because I have the same problem.

I'm having a similar problem... starts when I release the key. Have checked everything, every wire and plug.

I'm actually toward to damaged ECU. cause I get a back fire when doesn't start and get back the key quickly to OFF. It looks ECU have a short inside or some componment out of range making some on/off job exciting and helping to work

I already reinforced the ECU ground

Just a weird conclussion

Is not definitelly the ballast because brake light at cluster never cames off on the ignition process. It does dim when cranking because is being feeded by ballast working as splice... that's normal. ECU gets the power on same way when cranking at least on earlier models. I have known on laters power comes from starter relay I guess to save the ballast when cranking

Damaged Starter relay ? being a later model is something to check too

If you are still running the lean burn system on it, It will have 2 pick-ups in the distributor. The one closest to the wire going in to the distributor is the start pick-up. Good posibility that pick-up is bad. Did you change rotors lately? A lot of times the rotor won't come off easily and if you pry it off, you can easily bend the dist. shaft. When this happens, excess clearance can occur between the reluctor and pick-up coil and - no signal - and no starty!