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Engine wont start
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=65932		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  6inarow-makemego [ Tue Apr 20, 2021 5:52 am ]
Post subject:  Engine wont start
I've been away from this forum for a long while, please don't hold it against me :D

My 225 slant six has been running trouble free for several years, until this morning. I drove it yesterday a couple of times, about 40 miles and it ran perfectly.

This morning when I turned the key - I got nothing. No crank, no click, just silence. I keep the batter on a battery tender, and volt meter said 12.8 on the battery.

I wanted to get some feedback and advice. I'm thinking that 1) is most likely a connection problem so I'll check the connections at the battery, starter, and ground. 2) bad starter - what is the best method to test the starter?

The engine is mostly stock except it has a pertronix ignition. But I'm think the engine would at least crank if it was a distributor problem - right?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and suggestions.
Author:  Charrlie_S [ Tue Apr 20, 2021 7:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine wont start
Wht year/model vehicle? Do you have lights? Could be a bad connection. If you have lights, it could be a bad starter relay, bad starter, neutral safety switch(automatic), ign switch. If no lights, bad connection, issue with the bulkhead connector, burned/bad connection at ammeter, or the meter itself.
Author:  Dart270 [ Tue Apr 20, 2021 7:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine wont start
Yep, need to know year and model. My initial easy-to-fix guess (if ~72-down car) is the ammeter leads are loose. Need to disconnect batt before tightening.

Lou
Author:  6inarow-makemego [ Tue Apr 20, 2021 7:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine wont start
Quote:
Wht year/model vehicle? Do you have lights? Could be a bad connection. If you have lights, it could be a bad starter relay, bad starter, neutral safety switch(automatic), ign switch. If no lights, bad connection, issue with the bulkhead connector, burned/bad connection at ammeter, or the meter itself.
Thanks for the reply.
1972 Plymouth Scamp, automatic
Lights and radio work
Author:  6inarow-makemego [ Tue Apr 20, 2021 7:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine wont start
Quote:
Yep, need to know year and model. My initial easy-to-fix guess (if ~72-down car) is the ammeter leads are loose. Need to disconnect batt before tightening.

Lou
Thanks for the reply. Are you referring to the wiring to the back of the ammeter dashboard gauge?
Author:  Dart270 [ Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine wont start
Yep, that wiring.

OK, but if lights and radio work, then it won't be the ammeter and might be the fusible link (if my memory serves). Could also very likely be a bad starter or starter relay (or other things).

Try taking a screwdriver and bridging the two terminals on the starter, if it cranks, then you need to check the starter relay on the firewall next, or the shifter and neutral safety (below).

OHHH, also make sure the neutral safety switch is working. Try moving the gear selector a little bit on either side of P or N while turning the key to crank it. If cranks, then you need to adjust shift linkage and/or check neutral safety switch or wiring.

Lou
Author:  6inarow-makemego [ Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine wont start
Quote:
Yep, that wiring.

OK, but if lights and radio work, then it won't be the ammeter and might be the fusible link (if my memory serves). Could also very likely be a bad starter or starter relay (or other things).

Try taking a screwdriver and bridging the two terminals on the starter, if it cranks, then you need to check the starter relay on the firewall next, or the shifter and neutral safety (below).

OHHH, also make sure the neutral safety switch is working. Try moving the gear selector a little bit on either side of P or N while turning the key to crank it. If cranks, then you need to adjust shift linkage and/or check neutral safety switch or wiring.

Lou
Thanks for all the ideas. I will report back after I look at things after work.
Author:  6inarow-makemego [ Tue Apr 20, 2021 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine wont start
I got home and it started right up!? It started in P and N and not in other gears. I restarted it several times and then drove it. It performed perfectly.

I hate that I will doubt it’s reliability for a bit. Can I effectively rule any components based on this information? Are some of the parts mentioned more prone to intermittent malfunction than others?

I think it is possible it wasn’t “all the way” in park. But I can’t think of what else changed between 7am and 6pm....

Any thoughts?
Author:  Dart270 [ Wed Apr 21, 2021 7:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine wont start
That is my guess - not completely in Park.

Lou
Author:  SpaceFrank [ Wed Apr 21, 2021 8:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine wont start
It's possible you have a loose or corroded connection somewhere. I'd consider the firewall connector your most likely suspect at this age, but it could be the connections on the ignition switch, ammeter, starter relay, starter solenoid, neutral safety switch... I'm probably forgetting something.
Author:  6inarow-makemego [ Wed Apr 21, 2021 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Engine wont start
Quote:
It's possible you have a loose or corroded connection somewhere. I'd consider the firewall connector your most likely suspect at this age, but it could be the connections on the ignition switch, ammeter, starter relay, starter solenoid, neutral safety switch... I'm probably forgetting something.
I will definitely being some investigation of all these connections. Thanks.
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