Hey,

I'm in need of therapy or help.

69 charger with 440 is having starter issues.

Car running rough, some back firing while in gear. Was told it was 99% spark plugs versus bad gas.

Replaced all the spark plugs. Didn't want to turn over smoothly or at all.

Took new spark plugs out, made sure the gaps on them matched the old ones. Took time to ensure the boot covers to the spark plugs were secure against the plugs.

Turned it over twice and started without issue. Ran the car on the street for 30 minutes, no issues re-starting when stopped.

Changed the oil, last night, no issue. Topped it off this afternoon, went to start........went back to the car not wanting to turn over.

Checked all fuses. All are clean and in good shape. I know the boots to the spark plugs have not moved. So I know they are good and secure.

I know there is a white fuse on the firewall, passenger side that when i first bought the car 15 years ago......well i was told that it might go out for no reason.......

Any ideas?

 

Some Ideas Check the starter soloniod on the firewall, check the ign switch, make sure you have 12V on the ign coil.

 

Check the ground wires.......

Forty years in the business, says check the grounds first!

 

Can you send me a picture of where I should be looking for the ground wires.

See the one off the engine block that goes to the negative lead on the battery.

Saw a second one leading from the firewall out to around the carburetor.....

Where else am I looking.......thanks in advance.

 

Back at work again and really thinking about throwing a grenade in the car right now. Replaced the ignition solenoid on the engine wall, replaced the ballast one the engine wall too.

Go to turn over and all that is turning and making noise is the starter.

Engine is dead silent. I have a full battery.....I have checked all the ground to the engine.....they are all secure with no breaks in the lines.

What am I missing?

 

Clear something up. Do you mean the starter is making noise and the engine is not even turning over? ie do you see the fan rotating when the starter is cranking. If the engine is not turning then you have starter or starter drive issues. If the engine is in fact cranking over then check for voltage at the coil while your are trying to start it. This can be done with a test light to the positive post on the coil. If the engine is not turning over, pull the starter and have it checked out. While the starter is out, inspect the ring gear for missing or damaged teeth.

 

Fivepoint,

When trying to turn the car over......the starter is for sure engaged. It clicks away making a racket.....

I did notice that the fan in the car starts to turn when trying to start.

But the engine is silent.......do you think or does anyone possibly think the coil mounted around the carb that is part of the distributor could be a cause.

This is all frustrating......the car was running two weeks ago without issue......

 

It's been thirty years since I've had a large starter on a Mopar but if my memory is correct there's a one way clutch on the starter drive. When it fails you get noise but no cranking.

I was having trouble with them and replaced the starters with the late 80s stile.

 

You are saying the fan starts to turn. If it is not doing complete rotations when you are trying to start the engine, you have starter or ring gear problems. Sorry, maybe I am missing something or reading it wrong.

 

Please send a picture of this coil mounted around the carb that is part of the distributer.

 

Back firing usually means running too lean id check my fuel system and pull my plugs.