Intermittent turn key, no crank 74 charger 318

[jjg73]

Like the title says, I have an intermittent issue when turning the key and nothing will happen. Nothing to solenoid, not a thing. Replaced the neutral saftey switch thinking that was it, but nope... Can go back after a few minutes, turn the key and it will fire right up. Everything else electrical will work but on occasion, this happens... Anybideas?

 

[69Bee]

Ignition switch in column

 

[Ironbuilt]

When you say "nothing to solenoid", do you mean that you checked for voltage with a test light/meter? If yes, than like @69Bee said, ignition switch. If no, get out your tester and verify. Go from there.

 

[WP29440SE]

that does have a seat belt interlock thingy, they do get old . next time it won't crank , turn the key on and jump it at the starter relay and see if it fires. that will rule out the ignition switch. make sure all your grounds are solid.

 

[danf_fl]

I get that sometimes on my '68 Charger.
I reseat connectors to the starter relay, and don't have a problem like that for some time.
Old connectors can come loose after a while.

On mine when it happens, I see on ammeter that there is a battery draw when turning key to start, but nothing happens.

 

[Badvert65]

On the cars with the ignition switch in the column, the key part turns and moves a rod. The rod goes down the column to an electrical switch on top of the column shaft. This switch is adjustable. The switch mount is slotted and you can slide it up and down the column about a quarter inch or so for adjustment. It can be a pain to get to the screws, but you likely need to readjust the switch position. The last time I had your problem was with my 74 Road Runner. The problem drove me nuts. I only figured it out when I decided to replace the electrical part of the switch. I wanted to know exactly what the part looked like before I bought one and discovered mine was just a little loose (screws were snug but not really tight). I just moved the switch up the column slightly and retightened it. Problem solved.
When I worked at a parts store, I seem to recall that new switches had a breakaway plastic pin in them to set the adjustment. You snapped the rod into the switch and tightened the screws with the switch in the OFF position. The break away pin keeps it in the correct position. The first time you turn the key to start, it breaks the pin and that is it. Saves you the trial and error adjustments with new installs.

 

[YY1]

when it fails to start in P, will it start in N?

 

[jjg73]

that does have a seat belt interlock thingy, they do get old . next time it won't crank.

This right here was the exact problem! I couldn't tell since it has already been bypassed but the jumper wire pulled out just slightly... Thank you all for the insight. Something so small and stupid was starting to drive me up a wall haha...