Nagging electrical issue.

[MiamiMopar]

For a while now, I have had this nagging issue no one can seem to fix.

I have a 69 RR ragtop with a 383 Auto (console) that will start up OK in the morning during driving season, which is now here in the tropics, and will drive to the first destination no problem. Then maybe one or two starts more will be OK....

4th start attempt after driving around a little is usually met with that chattering sound of a dead battery as if the battery has not been getting a charge, but then it "grabs" turns over and starts.

New battery, new starter, new alt... still happening. Other details... Pertronix (spelling?) ignition is the only modern upgrade, AND I did notice that attempting to turn on lights or raise or lower roof BUT ONLY WHEN JUST STARTED AND BEFORE THE ENGINE WARMS UP results in a stall.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Sounds like your battery is not getting a full charge from your alternator. Do you have more detail about your ignition system? I know the stock alternators DO NOT charge while at idle and your battery will drain the more you are sitting there, I can imagine a convert with the power draw waiting for it to go up or down at idle, Do your lights get brighter when you give it gas and get the rpm's up?

 

[MiamiMopar]

Sounds like your battery is not getting a full charge from your alternator. Do you have more detail about your ignition system? I know the stock alternators DO NOT charge while at idle and your battery will drain the more you are sitting there, I can imagine a convert with the power draw waiting for it to go up or down at idle, Do your lights get brighter when you give it gas and get the rpm's up?

Yes they do. All the lights get brighter when I rev it headlights and interior.

My ignition system is the Pertronix system that replaces the points and coil. Everything else is stock, I've got an Optima Red Top battery in there at the moment (I wanted to rule out the batttery itself, so I got the best one I could get my hands on).

 

[Ron 73]

It could be your ignition switch. i wont get in the middle but its a possibility i thought i should mention.. The ignition switches in these old cars can give some real crazy gremlins. Good luck.

 

[tpodwdog]

.........take off the tranny inspection plate and look for slightly worn ring gear on the converter. you may have a worn spot. the 70 RR i had 30 years ago did the same thing . could be coincidence that on the 4th start your bad spot is lining up with the starter. keep in mind that when things are hot , they expand.... the bendix on the starter may be affected by the expansion.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Another thing to check is the AMP gauge,the wire going through the bulkhead connector to the AMP gauge and all the grounds.

 

[Meep-Meep]

All the power that enters the cabin goes through the bulkhead connector and into the ammeter as mentioned. The first thing I do with old MoPars is remove the connectors from the bulkhead and clean all the terminals, or replace the harness as required. The chattering starter relay may indicate not enough voltage at the control circuit and that may be a result of the bulkhead as well. The fusible link wire from the relay is the main feed into the middle connector so look for a black or heavily corroded terminal. If you have melted plastic around the terminal that's a sign of a bad connection and heating due to high resistance resulting from the bad connection.

 

[MiamiMopar]

Thanks! I checked and this silver box (regulator?) is loose and all the wires seem loose as well. Considering there's power going through it I will remove the battery and tighten everything down.

I think this MAY be the problem!

 

[tpodwdog]

that " silver box"...is the starter relay... clean up all those connections too. thats the main link between the battery,,,the key switch,,,and the starter itself!

 

[696pack]

To me it sounds like too much timing. If it starts hard after warming up that is typical of too much advance.

 

[MiamiMopar]

To me it sounds like too much timing. If it starts hard after warming up that is typical of too much advance.

STARTER RELAY! OK... now I know one more thing! Thanks tpo!

I dunno about too much advance.. once it decides to turn over, it usually starts right away. I'll drive around tomorrow if it doesn't rain and see if tightening everything down helped.

That second bottom bolt on the relay wouldn't tighten down. seemed to be spinning with no nut behind it but the top one has it pretty well sungged down. I guess eventually I will squeeze my fat *** under the dash and try to find out what's the deal with that second bolt.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Thanks! I checked and this silver box (regulator?) is loose and all the wires seem loose as well. Considering there's power going through it I will remove the battery and tighten everything down.

I think this MAY be the problem!

You may be on to it.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Starter relay has to be grounded and connections tight lol nice find glad it worked out.

 

[green1]

STARTER RELAY! OK... now I know one more thing! Thanks tpo!

I dunno about too much advance.. once it decides to turn over, it usually starts right away. I'll drive around tomorrow if it doesn't rain and see if tightening everything down helped.

That second bottom bolt on the relay wouldn't tighten down. seemed to be spinning with no nut behind it but the top one has it pretty well sungged down. I guess eventually I will squeeze my fat *** under the dash and try to find out what's the deal with that second bolt.

Just get a bigger tek bolt for it, no nut there.

 

[MiamiMopar]

Thanks everyone! Looks like that was it. Drove around all day yesterday and it was great. No stutter. Started up every time..