Help! My Charger won't start! (Problem solved!)

[cruiser]

When I turn the ignition key, the engine will not crank. Battery voltage is good. Do you think it may be the start relay? Is there a way to bypass the starter relay to see if the starter is good and cranks the engine? I've seen guys do this with a screwdriver before, but I've never tried it. Looks like they jumper two terminals on the starter relay, but I'm not sure which ones. Should the start relay click when you try to start the engine, indicating that the relay is good? Any ideas?

 

[#41]

Make sure car is in Park. Turn key to run position. Jump the two terminals on the rely. If cranks, relay is probably bad or connection loose. If no crank, could be lots of things.

 

[MoparDanMan]

If what #41 said works try putting the transmission in neutral, or move the shifter around a little (assuming it is an automatic) to see If it starts. If it does the neutral safety switch is out of rig. If it doesn't crank start checking voltage. It will take two people but start at the starter and work your way to the ignition switch connector on the steering column.

 

[cruiser]

If what #41 said works try putting the transmission in neutral, or move the shifter around a little (assuming it is an automatic) to see If it starts. If it does the neutral safety switch is out of rig. If it doesn't crank start checking voltage. It will take two people but start at the starter and work your way to the ignition switch connector on the steering column.

I just jumpered the start relay with a screwdriver and it cranked and started the engine. I then shut off the engine and tried to start it with the key. It wouldn't crank. I then jumpered it again and it started. I'm pretty sure it's the start relay. Does this sound right? Thanks.

 

[super-bee_ski]

YUP
Uh, I think....
Unless bad connection from Starter to Battery and or Key wiring...on/relay
Mine on the superbee was loose
Only 2 wires going down to starter

 

[LowBikeMike]

Before you replace the relay, check for voltage on the "I" terminal on the relay. I'm looking at a 69 RR diagram, looks to be the yellow wire. You should have voltage on the "I" terminal with key in the start position. If you have voltage there I'd make sure the relay is grounded good and if so, the relay is most likely the culprit.

 

[Charger Dana]

When starters are starting to go (THAT’S a weird sentence) sometimes a tap with a hammer or something will work. It’s possibly the starter- amongst all the other possibilities above.

 

[Rockland71GTX]

You don't mention what year, but you should be able to find manuals here: https://mymopar.com/resource-library/.
Since you jumped the relay and it started, the starter is good. The next thing to do is check the small gauge wires at the relay, should be yellow (Ign.) and brown/yellow tracer(Neutral safety/clutch). These go to the 'coil' part of the relay and supply the power and ground. Use a test light or meter to verify that the Ign. gets 12v when the key is switched. Also verify that the brown is grounded when the transmission is in park or neutral, or the clutch is depressed.
No power on Ign. : check wiring
No ground : check switch
Both good : relay is bad

 

[Don Frelier]

You don't mention what year, but you should be able to find manuals here: https://mymopar.com/resource-library/.
Since you jumped the relay and it started, the starter is good. The next thing to do is check the small gauge wires at the relay, should be yellow (Ign.) and brown/yellow tracer(Neutral safety/clutch). These go to the 'coil' part of the relay and supply the power and ground. Use a test light or meter to verify that the Ign. gets 12v when the key is switched. Also verify that the brown is grounded when the transmission is in park or neutral, or the clutch is depressed.
No power on Ign. : check wiring
No ground : check switch
Both good : relay is bad

We have a winner!

 

[PurpleBeeper]

99% chance it's just the relay, but good advice above

 

[cruiser]

All you guys who voted for bad start relay were correct. With the ignition on, I used a screwdriver to jumper the two terminals on the start relay, and it started right up. Ordered a new repro start relay from Van's Auto. Only took three days to get here, cost me $13.00 with shipping. Installed it and the Charger fired up like a brand new 53 year old car. Problem solved. Many thanks for all the advice!

 

[Don Frelier]

You might want to order another one as well. I had a problem with one of those after about 20 starts. The riveted connection on one of the terminals wasn't peened tight enough and started acting flakey.
Not to be critical of vans auto most of their stuff and pricing is quite good.
Glad you got it fixed.

 

[cruiser]

You might want to order another one as well. I had a problem with one of those after about 20 starts. The riveted connection on one of the terminals wasn't peened tight enough and started acting flakey.
Not to be critical of vans auto most of their stuff and pricing is quite good.
Glad you got it fixed.

There are four terminals on the Van's Auto start relay. Which one was peened incorrectly? If I know which one it was, I can check it. How long ago did you buy this relay from Van's? If this one goes bad, I can also buy a new one at NAPA, made by Echelin.

 

[Don Frelier]

I think it was the yellow start wire from the bulkhead.
Yes you can check them with a small pair of pointed pliers gently twist and see if they spin on the rivet.
The risk is if it's marginal you break it, there is really no way to tighten them that I found.

 

[Jon Salem]

If what #41 said works try putting the transmission in neutral, or move the shifter around a little (assuming it is an automatic) to see If it starts. If it does the neutral safety switch is out of rig. If it doesn't crank start checking voltage. It will take two people but start at the starter and work your way to the ignition switch connector on the steering column.

My 71 superbee w/ a 69 3838 starts in neutral but not well in park except with wiggling the shifter. Switch out of adjustment? Located on the tranny? Thanks.

 

[Jon Salem]

If what #41 said works try putting the transmission in neutral, or move the shifter around a little (assuming it is an automatic) to see If it starts. If it does the neutral safety switch is out of rig. If it doesn't crank start checking voltage. It will take two people but start at the starter and work your way to the ignition switch connector on the steering column.

My 71 Superbee w/ a 1969 motor starts in neutral but not in park unless the shifter is wiggled. Neutral safety switch out of adjustment? Located on the tranny?? Thanks.