New Guy with a '72 Coronet Starting Issue

[DreamRyder1963]

Hey everyone. I am new to Mopars and am looking for some help on this car. I have a 1972 Dodge Coronet Custom that will not engage the starter. It has been converted to a push button switch that starts the car. When I turn the power on and push the button all I get is click. After it clicks all lights and power goes dark. The headlights and interior lights will not come back on till I disconnect and reconnect the battery. This a new problem that just started happening. The car was starting and running great for about a month after I bought it. I have replaced the battery and starter. I hope you guys can point me in the right direction to fix this.

Thanks
Joseph

 

[67 coronet]

a click normally means you are not getting enough power to the starter.make sure your battery is fully charged.if not,charge and then test the charging system on the car.make sure both ends of both battery cables are clean and tight.also look for any corrosion at ends of cables.can also corrode inside if old enough.replace any loose or worn connectors with new ones,or replace the cabkes themselves.start there and see where you get to.

 

[DreamRyder1963]

Yeah I know the battery is plenty strong. It is a new Optima Red Top. It tested at 1200 cca when this problem first started.

 

[YY1]

If the power does not return after the click, I'd suggest that the connection of the battery cable is not good, especially if reconnecting it restores power.

The starter draws a LOT of current, and won't engage if the connection is really bad.

I'd get a wire brush terminal cleaner, and make then make sure the clamping is TIGHT and the termial doesn't move if you try to twist it.

 

[DreamRyder1963]

It will try replacing the battery cables. I have replaced the connectors but not the cable itself.

 

[sublimegtx]

Welcome to fbbo

 

[DreamRyder1963]

Thanks. This forum has been the most help I have gotten since I bought the car. Normally I would not say that I am a big Mopar guy but this forum is starting to get me really addicted to the breed.

 

[tallhair]

Thanks. This forum has been the most help I have gotten since I bought the car. Normally I would not say that I am a big Mopar guy but this forum is starting to get me really addicted to the breed.

once hooked it is impossible to kick

 

[DreamRyder1963]

I starting to catch on to that fact. :hello2:

 

[DreamRyder1963]

Well here is an update. I measured the resistance in the battery cables today. They both measured at zero so I know they are good. Whats the likelihood it is the push switch. Is there something else it could be?

 

[67 coronet]

could be the starter itself.rare for a mopar design starter to do that,but not impossible.best way to check is when it clicks and you have power loss,check for power at the starter relay.then check at the starter itself to make sure it is not sticking.replacing the relay is cheep insurance to make sure there is no prob there as well.

 

[YY1]

Have you tried jumping the solenoid?

Kinda tricky, but use a big screwdriver or small pry bar, and connect the start terminal of the solenoid to the hot.

Can be done by standing outside, just in front of the door, and reaching down between the exhaust and the inner fender.

 

[DreamRyder1963]

I checked the starter when I bought it. I work for Advance Auto so its not problem to check before hand. I am going to jump the starter tomorrow when I go work on it again. The only relay I see is the fusible link. Is there another one for the starter on this car?

- - - Updated - - -

Nevermind on the relay. I found it in our catolog and relized that it is behind the fusible link.

 

[DreamRyder1963]

I just changed the starter relay. It did the same as before. I then removed and replaced the battery cables and tried to jump the starter. The starter sparked and then I heard a click and everything went dead again.

 

[snakeyes]

hi and welcome to the site , have you repulled the starter and tried to bench test it to a batt to see if it would bump over

 

[DreamRyder1963]

I tested both the old starter and this new starter on our tester at work. The old starter even kicked over when I tested it. The selnoid was a little loose so I decided to replace it since it was inexpensive.

 

[dgraver]

Remove the battery negative from the block, clean it, grease it, quit messing with the starter.

This message provided by Tpodwdog, through a interpreter. Always helping, even from his residence in Hell.

 

[DreamRyder1963]

Remove the battery negative from the block, clean it, grease it, quit messing with the starter.

This message provided by Tpodwdog, through a interpreter. Always helping, even from his residence in Hell.

Been there, done that

 

[Ron 73]

Id shim the starter out a little, back it away from where it bolts on, It could be getting bound up and when it happens its keeping some circuit (with a loose connection) open until you unhook the battery and re-hook it, making it normal again until you try it.. Its worth a shot, stranger things have happened in these Mopars with electrical..

 

[WP29440SE]

grounds grounds grounds

battery to block to body grounds are always overlooked. sand them to metal if you have to. the starter relay has to be metal on metal. the starter will never work if the engine block is not sufficiently grounded or if the starter is loose from the engine. you may have power to it but the ground is not completed through the block to the battery. just because they look good , doesnt mean they are. and just because a starter bench tests fine doesnt mean you have the voltage from the battery to turn the engine or that the starter is actually good.