Won't start

[Habib]

prolly a easy question for you guys I have a 70 dart 340 and I just got a new battery so I put it in go to start it all it does is crank and crank I just had it started a few days ago then after trying for 25 mins trying to get it started I try one last time and it made a fast clicking sound then went totally silent and I turn the key and nothing happens could this be a bad E.C.U box? I have been having trouble with the car for the last few months electrically.

 

[barnfind]

any spark at the plugs?

 

[Habib]

didn't check that

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Sounds like you ran the battery dead cranking the **** out of it.so charge the battery and then you need to check for 1) is it getting fuel? 2) is it getting spark? It helps to have an extra person to turn the key while you check for spark. You can check for fuel by looking in the carb and seeing if you get a shot of gas when opening the throttle. Pull a spark plug and see if its wet or black with soot.

 

[nm9stheham]

^^ Yes the clicking is the clear sign that you ran the new battery dead. Charge it overnight since it is dead. Once charged do the following

1) Check spark by the following: remove a plug wire and expose the end of the wire that connects to the plug. Position it about 1/4" from the mteal of the engine (like a valve cover). Crank, and you should see a nice blue spark jump that gap.
2) Test for fuel as above.

Let us know which one is missing. If you problems are electrical, then it could be in the:
- distributor
- coil
- ECU box
- wiring
- ignition switch
- fuse box
- grounds

If you think this is probably electrical, please get a voltmeter; you will need one to work on this further. That tool is going to be your friend on these older cars!

 

[Habib]

well I got her started it had old fuel in her since December so I poured some gas cleaner in the tank and pour some fresh gas in the carb and put the battery charger on her she fired rite up let it run for a half n hour so the battery could charge turn it off then try to restart it...nothing it went dead again so I said maybe id half to drive i take it for a spin go to stop at a stop sign..the car turns off it went completely dead so I had to abandon it walk 5 miles into town then ride bike another 5 miles home.So if it wont charge I take it my alternator is bad?

 

[sleepar]

Or a wire... Or a regulator.. Or start solenoid... Or combo of things...

 

[nm9stheham]

^^ Probably the alternator or the voltage regulator, but possibly a number of things. You can either throw parts at it and maybe fix it or maybe keep making those long journeys home, or buy a simple voltmeter and someone here can help you troubleshoot this. If you keep this car, you are going to do more electical work......that's a gurantee!

If you decide to troubleshoot, then also download your cars schematic from here:

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=27

 

[Habib]

^^ Probably the alternator or the voltage regulator, but possibly a number of things. You can either throw parts at it and maybe fix it or maybe keep making those long journeys home, or buy a simple voltmeter and someone here can help you troubleshoot this. If you keep this car, you are going to do more electical work......that's a gurantee!

If you decide to troubleshoot, then also download your cars schematic from here:

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=27

yea im gonna keep it it was my dads and thanks for your help and everyone elses

 

[nm9stheham]

OK, that would have a lot of sentimental value, and, besides, it is a cool car.