70 Cuda 440 Starter PRoblem

[Challenger_RSSS]

Go to start our 70 Cuda, the starter just keeps cranking even when I turn the ignition switch off. Reading could be starter/solenoid, which is a Mopar unit. Read could be starter relay, which looks original, or older. Attached pic. Second question, there is a loose wire hanging next to relay, not sure where it would go ? Any suggestions on problem & wire?  BTW While it was cranking before battery died I tapped on starter and solenoid but didn't stop until I removed battery cable. Also once I connect battery cable back it doesn't try to crank again until I turn ignition switch again.  I will mention this is the first issue I have had with the Cuda and owned it over 5 years. It has always started with no issues, just been a few months since we last drove it. Battery had died and tried to jump it with battery charger, heard a pop, breaker reset for plug outlet, wondered if this caused a problem, too much of a coincidence it seems.

[1 Wild R/T]

The loose wire goes to the brake switch on the proportioning valve....

There is one wire attached to the center of the solenoid with a 1/4" screw... Remove the screw & briefly touch that wire to the big connector directly below it... The big connection is the battery junction, applying power to the smaller wire will cause the starter to crank.... If when you pull the wire back from the battery junction it continues to crank the problem is in the starter....  If it doesn't the problem is probably the starter relay which is what all the wires are attached to....

I'm wondering what the item is thats been added just forward of the starter relay.... It sort of looks like an OE piece but it didn't come stock on your Cuda...

[Challenger_RSSS]

Great I will try that and connect that loose wire. You know my next question was just that, what is that relay for, thought I would replace it as well since they connect using the same bolt and would look better too. Need to trace wires it looks like. Thank you.

[1 Wild R/T]

Your welcome!  Let use know what you find out...

[TelisSE440]

....I'm wondering what the item is thats been added just forward of the starter relay.... It sort of looks like an OE piece but it didn't come stock on your Cuda...

  Now that's a mystery. I would guess it's a headlight relay (Mopar relay that is), either brought to the engine compartment from inside the dash or they used the particular relay for a specific function and placed it there. But who knows  Anyway Challenger_RSSS good luck with the starter problem and please tell us about the mystery when you can 

[1 Wild R/T]

Now that's a mystery. I would guess it's a headlight relay (Mopar relay that is), either brought to the engine compartment from inside the dash or they used the particular relay for a specific function and placed it there. But who knows  Anyway Challenger_RSSS good luck with the starter problem and please tell us about the mystery when you can 

Wire colors aren't headlight circuit, not that it means anything...

[TelisSE440]

Wire colors aren't headlight circuit, not that it means anything...

Correct, I'm leaning towards the fact that they are using it for a specific function and not for what the relay was intended.

[Challenger_RSSS]

I jumped the wire, actually touched the two connections together with a screw driver first. It did engage and when I let off it kept trying to start so disconnected the battery cable. Tried it again and same thing but it stopped on its own after a few seconds. Couple more test with the same last results, then disconnected the main lead to starter and touched to smaller connector and got a few clicks then it tried to start and stopped when disconnected the wire. Hooked it back up and tried from the ignition switch and now it works correctly, starter stops when I turn off the key, tried multiple times using key and it stopped every time when turned off. Thoughts ? Starter or solenoid was maybe stuck? Car has what I was told are factory headers and I cannot remove starter easily which is a first for me, but never replaced one on a 440. Looks like I would need to drop the header to remove it. All my starter issues in the past have been on a chevy (camaro - corvette - chevelle, all easy access, and never had one that had this symptom. It has a stock mopar starter.