Ok recently picked up a 73 Dart Swinger and its having issues starting. Check battery voltage before anything else and always have 12.2-12.6V. Try to start it and turn the switch to "start" and it doesnt make a sound, not click or low oil pressure or parking brake(lights known to work). I have installed new battery cable and a charging cable and car has ran since then.

Even when it will not make a sound by the key I can jump the two big relay post and get it to turn over. Generally it will turn over(possibly crank) for a couple seconds for two or three tries then nothing(battery at 11.8V by now). After that point a get a click and a buzz from the starter. This will generally start the car with jumper cables connected. I tested the two smaller wires on the relay and show .35V with key in "run" and it will jump to 12V in "start" but drops to .7V in about a second(1 probe in each wire not wire to ground individually). Today I replaced the starter relay and that did not fix the problem.

Helppp, my driver isnt so much a driver right now and Mopars at the Rock is a week away.

it looks like the battery voltage drops too low after cranking a few times.
time to get battery tested.

Sounds like the ignition switch, or the neutral safety switch. Put the trans in neutral and try it, if that doesnt work, find the neutral safety wire on the starter relay, and ground it. See if that makes it crank.

If neither of those work, I think it's time to take a look at the igntion switch. The car will start and run on less than 11v.. I've done it. I was working on a wagon the other day running on 7.3v from the battery, and output of the alternator.

Shaking from the engine cranking can cause an intermittent connectivity issue with the ignition switch, and the neutral safety.

~THOR~

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1984 D100 Shorty Custom
Certified Auto Appraiser - RevItUp Classic Appraisals
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So I grounded the Neutral Safety switch and got it to run and drive, luckily because it was going to get towed tomorrow if it stayed in that parking spot.

Still turns over pretty slow and is only good for 1 or 2 tries without jumper cables. Could that be anything(cheaper) than a battery?

Also now that the NSS is grounded the low oil and parking brake light still didnt come on? Are the two connected?

Thanks a ton guys, saved me 150 of towing fees

and you mentioned shaking of the engine. the droopy motor mounts could have something to do with that

If you have let it run for a while and your battery hasnt charged you might want to check the output voltage of the alternator and if its putin out 13-14.5 volts then yes its the battery. As far as the oil light is concerned it
sounds like you have a bad ground somewhere check all the wires and
wiggle some of your ground wires and see if it changes anything.

Ahh the good ole wiggle test. Works good too. I even use that on newer vehicles when I'm stumped. Worked a couple times.

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-- Mister Perkins --

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It’s impossible (and expensive) to guess which part is faulty. It could be the battery or the starter. Or a battery cable or a ground cable. If the battery shows 12v still, it’s unlikely that it’s the charging system but it could be. You’ll have to get it somewhere where they can test it.


Not that I can tell. I think that’s a different problem.

Danny