Ran great yesterday, now it won't start!

[EMCD]

I changed the coil, rotor, cap, plugs and wires yesterday and the car ran great. tried to start it the next day and it cranks, but not a cough or a even an attempt to start. what could it be?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

We need to narrow this down some. Pump the gas pedal once or twice and look down the throat of the carb to see if you are getting fuel. Do you have a Volt meter? With the key in the on position, check the voltage on the "+" side of the ignition coil. If you don't have a Volt meter, you can check if there is spark the old fashioned way. Take a spark plug wire off the spark plug. Using insulated pliers, hold it near the valve cover, or some other ground source while someone cranks the engine.

[Bullitt-]

With no more info than that it's just a guessing game.....I'll guess that one end of the coil wire is not seated..

[jimynick]

Check the ballast resistor on the cowl. I drove my340 Dart Sport to the variety store, went in, came out and it wouldn't start- and that was the cause. If you have an ohmmeter put it across the bare terminals and if it shows infinite resistance, you've found your problem. I always carried a spare in the glove box, because it's common. Good luck

[EMCD]

can you send me a picture of what a ballast resistor looks like?

[LAA66]

 The first place I usaully look is where I worked on the car last. Check the wires in the ignition circuit, possibly one got pulled loose when working in that area.

[EMCD]

i checked all the sparkplug and coil wires and they were securely set into the dist. cap. the car has been sitting for 19 years and i just got it running after cleaning the fuel tank, new sending unit and fuel pump, gas lines, water pump and all my wires, coil, and plugs.

[GranCuda1970]

It's that chalky white looking thing with the big bolt in the middle of right next to yer wiper motor on the firewall some have 2 prongs and some have 4 prongs it's about 3 1/2 inches long. Backside, ( unbolted from firewall ) if not filled has a golden looking spingy looking thing in a cavity.

[EMCD]

cool. how much is a replacement ballast?

[GranCuda1970]

cool. how much is a replacement ballast?

 They are cheap I am not sure why they pop so often but I have had to swap many over the years, a jedi on the forum may be able to explain further but if it wont start most of the time it was the resistor, for me anyway!! that was on my ASpen r/t and my cuda. i think the cuda problem was due to the alternator not generating enough volts and it would crank and not start then it would just click. NAMC replaced the alternator with the proper 60 amp and she ran fine. I went through 2 starters a relay and 2 ballast resisters but I was running points, Now I will be running the stock electronic system from Summit.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

The ballast resistor goes to heaven over time because it is getting hot, then cooling. The coil inside will finally cry uncle. It's an easy check with an Ohm meter.

[EMCD]

alright, i replaced the ballast resistor and it still won't start. i checked all teh plug and coil wires and they seem tight. i know i have fuel, because i could feel and see it when i pumped the carb. so, i'm thinking it has to be the coil, cap, or rotor. What should be my next step? check for spark by removing the plug wire and grounding it to the block to see if anything sparks?

[jimynick]

Yeah, please do! Without trying to be a smart a$$, you need fuel, compression and spark to run and from what you said, you have at least 2 of those. Does this car have point or electronic ignition? If you have spark at a plug wire, try dribbling a wee bit (1/2oz) down the carb and see if it'll fire/fart. Roll it over until you see the timing mark on the balancer line up with the timing tab and check the position of the rotor to the cap and #1 plug wire- don't freak out if it's the other side of the cap, just roll it over ONCE more and confirm- remember ignition is every other TDC of the piston. Ignition can be fun, eh?

[EMCD]

cool, no offense taken. it's a 1972, so i'd assume it's electronic ignition. i'm new at the game and am trying to learn as much as possible. i'm too poor to pay someone $100/hr to fix my old car.

[GranCuda1970]

cool, no offense taken. it's a 1972, so i'd assume it's electronic ignition. i'm new at the game and am trying to learn as much as possible. i'm too poor to pay someone $100/hr to fix my old car.

 This may be a stupid question , Is it a automatic on the column or auto on the floor or 4-speed.  If 3 on the tree I thought there was a nuetral safety switch or something that prevents starting if the car is not in proper shift position it is a stretch but maybe will just crank forever.