Author Topic: Car won't start  (Read 2727 times)

Offline Bullitt-

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Re: Car won't start
« Reply #15 on: July 18, 2014 - 02:41:34 PM »
If the motor cranks your relay is good. From what I've read that is working with your old switch

Here's a schematic. http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1970/70BarracudaB.JPG
study the ignition switch connector...Red is power in, each wire out sends power somewhere, Brown is power going to the ballast resistor.

Here's the engine compartment http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1970/70BarracudaA.JPG
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline Sleepychallenger

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Re: Car won't start
« Reply #16 on: July 19, 2014 - 02:13:35 AM »
I thought that if you cranked and it fired but wouldn't keep runnin it could be the ignition switch or the starter relay

Offline Strawdawg

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Re: Car won't start
« Reply #17 on: July 19, 2014 - 09:57:47 AM »
I thought that if you cranked and it fired but wouldn't keep runnin it could be the ignition switch or the starter relay

Nope, the starter relay only affects the starter motor.  It has nothing to do with the engine running other than cranking it over to start. :)

It seems the most common factor in the engine stopping when the key is released to the Run position is a bad ballast resistor, but, a bad ignition switch, poor connection in the bulkhead connector, or a bad wire/connection between the ballast or ballast to coil can also cause it.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Car won't start
« Reply #18 on: July 20, 2014 - 07:08:39 PM »
SO I am assuming the engine cranks over OK but will not fire up , correct ? you did say you swapped starters !
 are you getting spark at all , pulloff the coil wire & crank the engine if no have you checked the gap between the reluctor & pick up coil in the dist , most replacement dist I see do not have this set properly , it should be .008 approx. 2 thicknesses of regular writing paper . I have seen the pick up coils go intermittent , they will work fine until they warm up , also I have seen the ign problems where the 2 wires to the dist are cut & extended & then reversed polarity .
 Need more info to continue .

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Offline BLUE CUDA

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Re: Car won't start
« Reply #19 on: July 23, 2014 - 06:16:27 PM »
Swapped Starter, Ballast Resister, ECU, Coil, Starter Relay. Getting spark at Coil & Spark plugs. Also replaced Ignition switch. Should I check gap between the reluctor & pick up coil in dist? Or is this good because I have spark off of the coil?

Offline Strawdawg

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Re: Car won't start
« Reply #20 on: July 23, 2014 - 08:12:06 PM »
Your first post said it would start when the key was turned to park  but died when you let off to Run.  We have been trying to find an electrical problem associated with this problem.  I am not sure why you replaced so many things, but, at this point, it's too late to worry about that :)

It takes three things for an engine to run.

Blue spark across the  spark plug gaps

Correct amount of fuel

Compression.



If you have the proper spark across the plug gaps, then it would seem that there is no problem with the electrical system when cranking it  When you say you have spark at the plugs, do you mean across the gaps?

Going to the fuel--does it shoot a spray of fuel out the accelerator pump nozzles when you open the throttle?

Going to the compression-have you done a compression test on at least one cylinder.  Or can you pull a breather out and see a couple of valves to note if they are actuating when you crank the engine over?

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Car won't start
« Reply #21 on: July 23, 2014 - 11:38:20 PM »
Always set the reluctor gap , they do not come set properly & often work ok intermittently

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Offline BLUE CUDA

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Re: Car won't start
« Reply #22 on: August 01, 2014 - 05:58:46 PM »
Found the problem!  :bigsmile: It was a wire on the Engine Harness that connects to the bulkhead. The Engine Harness was bought brand new... the wire was loose.  :banghead: It was not crimped all the way. Thank you all for you help. Took my Cuda and did a big burnout. 

Offline JayBee

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Re: Car won't start
« Reply #23 on: August 01, 2014 - 08:35:33 PM »
  :2thumbs: Thanks for the update and congrats on the fix.
John

1970 Barracuda convertible
2014 Toyota Avalon

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Car won't start
« Reply #24 on: August 01, 2014 - 10:22:45 PM »
 :2thumbs:
 Did you at least check the reluctor gap?

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t