78 Power Wagon no start

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Jul 16, 2009 | 05:26 PM

cnskate

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78 Power Wagon no start

Just scored a sweet Power Wagon for $1k. Yeah! Now it randomly won't start. Boo! The battery is old, but when it does start it sounds likes it's cranking hard. It's an auto with a 360. It seemed like it would start fine for awhile when I pulled back hard on the column gear selector, but now not at all. Is it likely a NSS issue or a problem with the linkage in the steering column or elsewhere?

Thanks for any tips!

Jul 17, 2009 | 02:59 AM

Polaradude

Mopar Lover

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 2,509

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From: East Coast Canada

Also check the wires going to the starter and the grounds from battery to frame/block etc. Could be a voltage drop prob due to loose/corroded connections. let us know whats up.
And Welcome to the Forum.

Jul 17, 2009 | 08:41 AM

cnskate

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Thanks, I'll check that. I'm on crutches with a broken foot right now, so I'm not as proactive as usual. The transmission linkage definitely seems to be an issue. It will most often start when I pull the shifter way up.

Jul 17, 2009 | 11:50 AM

richinny

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try shifting it to neutral to start it. there is more wiggle room there.

Jul 17, 2009 | 12:06 PM

cnskate

Guest

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Tried starting in neutral and it didn't help, but maybe I need to wiggle it more? I'm wondering if I don't have multiple issues here.

Jul 18, 2009 | 09:50 AM

78D200

Admin

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 8,173

Likes: 200

From: Goffstown, NH

You may need new bushing for the linkage and it probably needs to be adjusted. I'd have the starter tested. Also run a ground wire from the starter housing back to the negative post on the battery. This will help to allow power to "flow" through the starter. I had an issue with hard starts on my j10 and after running a ground wire like that, it started up much easier.