Starting issue

[Ranger16]

OK, I just came back in from messing with mine. I checked continuity again on the ballast resistor bypass wire from the bulkhead and it was good. I then pulled the center connector off of the bulkhead. All the connectors where clean (except for dielectric grease). I plugged the connector back in and then grabbed the brown bypass wire (circuit J3) with needle nose pliers and gave it a push just to be sure it was seated well. Got in the car and turned the key and she jumped to life almost immediately. Started like that 3 times. I am fairly confident that the disconnect was in the ballast resistor bypass wire connection at the bulkhead connector.

 

[Sonny]

Might be a bushing is worn making the gearing bind. I would recommend removing the starter and check it out. These mini starters (Dodge Dakota) are really super if you're still useing the original style. The one I'm useing on my 440 really impresses me in the power that it has. Much better than the factory starter.

OK, I just came back in from messing with mine. I checked continuity again on the ballast resistor bypass wire from the bulkhead and it was good. I then pulled the center connector off of the bulkhead. All the connectors where clean (except for dielectric grease). I plugged the connector back in and then grabbed the brown bypass wire (circuit J3) with needle nose pliers and gave it a push just to be sure it was seated well. Got in the car and turned the key and she jumped to life almost immediately. Started like that 3 times. I am fairly confident that the disconnect was in the ballast resistor bypass wire connection at the bulkhead connector.

thanks for the update. I’ll check that wire too.

 

[Sonny]

OK, I just came back in from messing with mine. I checked continuity again on the ballast resistor bypass wire from the bulkhead and it was good. I then pulled the center connector off of the bulkhead. All the connectors where clean (except for dielectric grease). I plugged the connector back in and then grabbed the brown bypass wire (circuit J3) with needle nose pliers and gave it a push just to be sure it was seated well. Got in the car and turned the key and she jumped to life almost immediately. Started like that 3 times. I am fairly confident that the disconnect was in the ballast resistor bypass wire connection at the bulkhead connector.

When yours was acting up did the starter seem to drag?

 

[Ranger16]

No, not at all. You may have two separate issues.

 

[Ranger16]

Well, I may have spoke too soon. Started it today for the first time since my last post to go to a car show. Same ole ****, started when I released the key.

I still think it has something to do with that bypass circuit though.

 

[Sonny]

Well, I may have spoke too soon. Started it today for the first time since my last post to go to a car show. Same ole ****, started when I released the key.

I still think it has something to do with that bypass circuit though.

Frustrating I know. I installed a mini starter from Summit and WOW! It fires up almost instantly. So fast, that I haven’t had that non starting issue yet. May still be in there. I’ll let you know if it returns.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Load test while the starter is engaged may shed some light. Electricity like water follows the path of least resistance.

 

[Ranger16]

I went to a Mopar show this morning and it fired as soon as I turned the key. Same thing coming home. I'm going to tighten the spade on that Q cavity plug and see if that does it.

Oh, one more point that points to the bypass circuit. I can always tell when this phenomenon is going to manifest itself. If when I start to crank, the tach needle does not move, it won't start til I release the key. I always though that was odd, but if the needle jumps during cranking, it fires immediately.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Check and add a ground wire to the ECU. The box needs a real good ground.

 

[Ranger16]

In my case, the ECU has a good ground. Checked that long ago.
If it where an ECU ground, I'd suspect more than a starting issue. You'd probably see some stalling as well.