Starting issue

[mkbubs]

Trying to start my 440 for the first time and having a few issues trying to figure out. One of the issues is when I turn the key it will turn for a few seconds then stop. I turn the key to the off position then turn it again and it does the same thing. But when I bypass the key and and span the two points on the ignition module, it turns with no problem. Not sure what the problem is, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Photon440]

Sounds like the starter itself is fine, so it could be the ignition switch. I'm not sure what an 'ignition module' is. Are you putting power directly to the starter terminals?

 

[747mopar]

Check the neutral safety, just supply a good ground in place of the neutral safety switch to the starter relay to see if that does it. I would also check all of the connections on the starter relay, your battery cables etc.

 

[mkbubs]

Cool, sorry meant starter relay, it was late and I was mentally drained. I'll check those connections. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[ZombiePopper]

I'm thinking its the ignition switch also...
dont think its the NSS or it wouldn't crank at all...usually...
but def check your ground connections

 

[mkbubs]

The other issue I am having is weak or intermittent spark. We pulled a couple plugs and wires to check the spark and it wasn't really sparking as much as it should. I have a new MSD high vibration coil and a mopar performance electronic ignition. Would the starter relay have anything to do with this issue? Or is this something completely different. Thanks for the help.

 

[ZombiePopper]

Not usually a relay issue,
have you got a spare stock coil laying around?
swap it in place of your hi-vibe coil (just for chits 'n grins).

also, how's the ignition wired? Are you running a ballast still?

 

[mkbubs]

My buddy has a spare coil, I'll try that. But I did test the coil with my multimeter and everything checked out ok according to specs from the MSD website. Yes I am running a ballast, would my voltage regulator have anything to do with this problem as well. Mine is pretty old, at least ten years old. Thanks for the help.

 

[ZombiePopper]

Is this a complete new dizzy or just the drop-in pick up?
are you using the dual ballast? What's the ballast cond.?
(I had 1 once that was cracked in half and I couldn't tell until I removed it from the fender and it fell apart).

 

[mkbubs]

Everything is new except the voltage regulator, I may go ahead and get a new one. Maybe that will solve it. I tested the coil again for grins and it checked out pretty close to what the specs say from the website. I also checked the starter relay, that seems to be good as well. I'll keep you posted on what I find out.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

I have a question? How good is your battery?

 

[ZombiePopper]

The problem testing coils (ohms) is they could be close to specs cold but once warm (cranking it), not be. Which is why I suggested just throwing a spare on it.

Did you replaced the entire dizzy, or just install a pick-up?
If you just installed a pick-up, did you check the dizzy shaft for excessive play up/down/side-side?
(I've seen this on a few occasions and it presents symptoms like you mentioned.
In fact, I had an old tractor that had me stumped, replaced; points, condenser, cap, rotor, coil, plugs, wires, etc. multiple times and 1 sec it worked fine then the next sec, nothing, turned out being the dizzy shaft had excessive play.)

 

[SPEEDYRT1]

hey check the firewall plug ,where the engine harness plugs into firewall , connections maybe corroded from moisture ! cause it cranks over when u jump the starter relay with screw driver , that tells u , starter, ground ,and relay r good , other wise it wouldn't crank over or u got a bad wire from relay to ign switch

 

[MSBoyd]

I had the same problem a few weeks ago and replaced the starter relay (that you are jumping) and have not had any issues since. Pretty cheap part as well so worth trying.

 

[mkbubs]

Just installed new neutral safety switch harness. Also installed new keyed starter switch and voltage regulator. Checked yellow wire coming from ignition switch and I am getting 12volts. Checked brown with yellow stripe, no voltage, that comes from the neutral safety switch and plugs into the bottom right side of the starter relay. Does the relay need to be grounded? Just to be sure we ran a grounding wire from the relay to the neg side of the battery. Still nothing. Looks like fuel pump relay died again when we were trying to start it. So we are done for the night. Just a general relay from the local auto part store, is there a fuel pump relay that you would would recommend? Here are some pics of the wiring, please let me know if you see anything I may need to fix. Appreciate the input. Sorry for the pics not sure why they came in upside down.

 

[benrunner]

Ground to starter relay

 

[miller]

Got a ground strap...engine to firewall?

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Just installed new neutral safety switch harness. Also installed new keyed starter switch and voltage regulator. Checked yellow wire coming from ignition switch and I am getting 12volts. Checked brown with yellow stripe, no voltage IT SHOULDN'T - THE NSS BASICALLY COMPLETES A GROUND OR NEG CIRCUIT TO THE STARTER RELAY IF THE TRANS IS IN GEAR THEN THE NSS IS DEPLOYED AND CUTS THE GROUND TO THE STARTER RELAY SO IT WONT START. WHEN IN NEUTRAL OR PARK THE NSS IS IN ITS NORMAL STATE AND THE GROUND CONNECTION AT THE NSS IS COMPLETE AND LETS THE STARTER RELAY ENGAGE., that comes from the neutral safety switch and plugs into the bottom right side of the starter relay. Does the relay need to be grounded? YES TO THE BODY OF THE CAR, THE SAME GROUND THAT THE TRANS AND ALL OTHER WIRING IS CONNECTED TO Just to be sure we ran a grounding wire from the relay to the neg side of the battery. Still nothing. Looks like fuel pump relay died again when we were trying to start it. So we are done for the night. Just a general relay from the local auto part store, is there a fuel pump relay that you would would recommend? Here are some pics of the wiring, please let me know if you see anything I may need to fix. Appreciate the input. Sorry for the pics not sure why they came in upside down.

ON 69'S THE NSS IS A 3 WIRE, 2 OF THE WIRES ARE FOR THE REVERSE LIGHT CIRCUIT AND THE 3RD IS TO THE STARTER RELAY

Hopefully this diagram helps you? OOPS THE NOTE IN THE PIC IS WRONG SORRY IT SHOULD READ IF IN PARK THE NSS COMPLETES THE NEG TO THE RELAY SORRY!