duster fanatic

Hey guys, got a problem with the duster hoping someone my be able to help!! So I Blew my fusible link the other day and ended up fixing it and putting a new one in, I did notice that the bulk head connector has melted just a tad where the link went in but I rigged it until i can get a new one. After I did all that the car started no problem! The day after I drove it around with no problem until I let it sit for about 2 hours, when i went to start it acted like a dead battery where it would "click. Click,click" but no start until jumped when it started it made a horrible grinding noise when in park and neutral, but not in drive or reverse!! I was able to get it home and parked in garage, but left it because i had no time to mess with it. Now it wont even click when key turned. I have lights, radio just no power when key turned!!! I checked the battery and starter which both are good.. so i have no idea where to look next!
thanks everybody for the help you can provide
jake

TVLynn

Which fusible ? ALt not working ? Dead battery !! Charge the battery and see if it will start & check the voltage. Check the starter relay ?? It may have been stuck causing the starter NOT to disengage

Kern Dog

The starter relay on the firewall is a common part to fail. Some guys suggest looking at the starter switch in the column, but I have found them to be reliable unless the wiring has fried.
Over the years, the wiring in these cars degrades. They were adequate when they were new, but these cars are now 40+ years old! Time is not kind to these cars and their wiring. The wire gets corroded, resistance builds up causing the wires to get hot and melt.
I have had cars crank slow from inside but when I crossed the terminals on the relay, it spun over MUCH faster. This is due to old and aged wiring and higher resistance.

pro-tech

It sounds like the starter stayed engaged on the last start which would explain the grinding noise. So you need a new starter if that is the case. Bill

duster fanatic

I will check the Alt and relay tomorrow. As for the Battery and starter I took them to auto zone and had the battery and starter both checked, which both read fully operational. Thanks for the advice and i will see if those thing work.
Thanks!
Jake

furyfrank

I have had starters bench test good but when put under load they where bad.