have 72 and 74 dodge half ton trucks 318's 74 has always started when letting off the key. Now 72 has started to do that but doesnt always start. No spark when starter is engaged. Spark when you let off the the run position. Relplace just about everything under the hood. Dont know what to buy next. Can i just toggle switch the ignition wires for run (which ones) and use a push button starter. Please help truck is all rebuilt and painted. Want to drive it everyday.
acton mike
04-29-2006, 04:24 PM
souns like the ballast resistor is kaput - anyone else think this way
hatmaster120
04-29-2006, 04:51 PM
ive already tried three new ones thanks
hatmaster120
04-29-2006, 05:08 PM
im am having to drive a ford festiva while my truck is broken down
farmguy
04-29-2006, 09:16 PM
hatmaster.. If you have a coil to replace yours with, it could be worth a try, could be an intermittent short, also, check the starter relay....Just a couple things that come to mind.......
hatmaster120
04-30-2006, 01:04 PM
problem has moved on to no spark ever. just replaced 2day old accell coil with new borg warner.with key in run position pos coil has 6v neg has1.2v. power going in none coming out coil wire. starter relay is only thing left that isnt new. going to get one now and try it. thanks dont know what else to do will try anything.
knowplay
04-30-2006, 01:53 PM
Sounds like the actual ignition switch is bad or out of adjustment. Switch should be mounted on the column under the dash. The lock cylinder(part the key goes in) has a rod attached to it. The rod runs down the column to the ignition switch. I would look at the wires/pigtail on the switch and try tapping on the switch while holding the key in the start position. The switch is rather cheap and prolly worth a shot. Hope this helps.
swami2806
04-30-2006, 03:13 PM
Do you have a coil ballast? Might try that.
hatmaster120
04-30-2006, 03:30 PM
thanks for your input.i put in new lock cylinder 4 days ago,that is when it wouldnt fire till i let off key.but it started.now im stuck at no spark coming out of coil. volts are going to coil in run and cranking position.
hatmaster120
04-30-2006, 03:50 PM
new starter relay no change. at least everything under hood is new now.what would cause coil not to spark when theres power to it?
hatmaster120
04-30-2006, 04:01 PM
whats a coil ballast ?if its the ballast resister i got 3 new ones i been trying. if its something different ill go get one. im gratefull for any input, out of ideas will try anything. thanks i got to much invested to stop now
farmguy
04-30-2006, 09:04 PM
Hatmaster, you should have batt voltage or within 1 volt of batt voltage, at + side of coil, with key on. I think Knowplay may be on to something, with that ign switch.... Most of my career exp. has been with fords, I know they had a sometime problem, they had a resister wire going from the ign switch, think your mopar is different, with the ballast resister.....Id get a digital volt meter, and start checking the voltage at the ballast, coil ign switch. etc....... your losing your primary voltage signal somewhere.
knowplay
04-30-2006, 10:09 PM
New lock cylinder wouldn't help a bad ignition switch. They aren't the same thing. Ignition switch is mounted to the column under the dash. Switch connects to the lock cylinder via a long metal rod. The switch has to be adjusted on the rod right to work. I'm almost positive you have a bad ignition switch. Look on the top of the steering column close to the floor under the dash. Most ignition switches are kinda flat and square with the metal rod coming into it from the direction of the steering wheel. Switch will have several wires running into it. Most switches are kinda cream colored.
How about the ignition module? Have you replaced that?
I used to think they either 'worked' or 'didn't work', but have learned otherwise....
hatmaster120
05-01-2006, 07:43 AM
i will look for ign switch in photo.i know i have an ign switch in the steering column . the key cylinder goes right against it. if switch in photo is in addition to it i will find and check it. new switch is 112.oo and 2 days to order cant try today. will get to work with volt meter and post later today. THANKS everybody home from work this morning with no ideas. happy to here your wisdom, it will give me something to try today. thanks again!!!!
swami2806
05-01-2006, 09:56 AM
yes, the coil balast I was talking about is the resistor.
hatmaster120
05-01-2006, 11:57 AM
new ign module and it runs. ign switch out of old dart i had now it starts like its supose to. runs perfect. bad module was 10 years old with 3100 miles on it.i still thought of it as new. thanks everybody for the help. i plan to drive this truck every day as my main transportation. i will miss fuel injection but i wont miss the computerized stuff i cant work on . with the help of this forum i should be able to fix anything that goes wrong with 1972 technology.
Speed Dragon
05-01-2006, 03:04 PM
You have a 72 truck with electronic ignition? That's kinda rare. Glad you got her running.
knowplay
05-02-2006, 12:06 AM
I was born in '72. :P
Speed Dragon
05-02-2006, 12:19 AM
I was born in '72. :PWow.... you're kinda rare too then:thatfunny
bherder
05-02-2006, 09:09 AM
new ign module and it runs. ign switch out of old dart i had now it starts like its supose to. runs perfect. bad module was 10 years old with 3100 miles on it.i still thought of it as new.
Hey, is this where I get to say "Swish.... Nuthin' but net" ? :D
thanks everybody for the help. i plan to drive this truck every day as my main transportation. i will miss fuel injection but i wont miss the computerized stuff i cant work on . with the help of this forum i should be able to fix anything that goes wrong with 1972 technology.
Older, in a lot of ways, can be better ;)
Glad to see you got er' up and running. Now you can park that Festiva thing and hold your head up high.
Don't feel bad though... At $3.00 a gallon, I've had to bring the Geo out of the mothball fleet.... My PW is an 'around town' rig now and if I need to go anywhere else, it's Geo time. At least it's got a good stereo....
MOPAR!
hatmaster120
05-02-2006, 09:33 PM
electonic ign was an option for trucks in 72 mine came with points. i got the parts from dodge to change it. also put front disc brakes off dodge van on it.
knowplay
05-03-2006, 12:03 AM
Thanks to gas...I'm sporting the Kia Sportage. Dodge stays at home. KIA SUX!
