Intermitten failure to start.
#1893716
08/17/15 06:08 PM
08/17/15 06:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 328 Missouri, U.S.A.
JSSuperbee
OP
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OP
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Posts: 328
Missouri, U.S.A.
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1969 383 Superbee with MOPAR electronic ignition (distributor & orange module). Car always started & run perfect all these years. Restored 6 years ago. Battery perfect and turns over great. When it first acted up a friend jiggled the wires on the resistor. It then started up. Put on a new resistor. It ran and started fine for a couple days. Then.....same thing again...no start. Checked the connections on the resistor. A little loose but tight enough it should have started. Maybe it's the orange ignition module. Replaced it. Ran and started fine for a couple days and then again it wouldn't start. When I let off the key from the start position it "pops" like it wants to start. I tightened up all the connections going to the resistor but still have the intermittent won't start problem. Could it be the ignition switch?
James Stinebaker
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: ademon]
#1893799
08/17/15 07:37 PM
08/17/15 07:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 328 Missouri, U.S.A.
JSSuperbee
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What made you suspect the reluctor and how do you correct the problem? Do I buy a new distributor if the gap is too large?
Jim
James Stinebaker
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: JSSuperbee]
#1893841
08/17/15 08:36 PM
08/17/15 08:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,184 Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,184
Park Forest, IL
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Pull the bulkhead connector and check for corrosion. Very common problem on old Mopars. When you move the wires to the resistor it moves the bulkhead wires and gets them to make contact for a while. I believe it is the light blue wire in particular that causes issues.
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: JSSuperbee]
#1894024
08/17/15 11:22 PM
08/17/15 11:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,906 IL, Aurora
ademon
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,906
IL, Aurora
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What made you suspect the reluctor and how do you correct the problem? Do I buy a new distributor if the gap is too large?
Jim Went through all the wiring, installed a new ignition switch swapped out coil and ecu. Just found it on a hunch, I had the mopar distributor with the adjustable advance slots so i was in the distributor several times making fine adjustments. I do think the hold down screw for the pickup doesn't hold it tight so I used a star type lock washer under it before cranking it down after the gap was set!
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: ademon]
#1894132
08/18/15 02:01 AM
08/18/15 02:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 328 Missouri, U.S.A.
JSSuperbee
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I have the standard Electronic ignition conversion distributor. It has only 2100 miles on it. Same for the brand new wiring harness & bulkhead. When initially installed, I just dropped it in and it fired up and has run like a million bucks up until now. Does the distributor I have have the adjustable advance slots and the hold down screw for the pickup. Is this screw loosened, then the adjustment to .008 made and then tightened? Do you recommend I take it to the local Dodge dealer to be checked out since I'm not sure of myself and don't have access to a brass feeler gauge?
Jim
James Stinebaker
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: JSSuperbee]
#1894136
08/18/15 02:06 AM
08/18/15 02:06 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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What made you suspect the reluctor and how do you correct the problem? Do I buy a new distributor if the gap is too large? Jim you would line up the magnet with a tooth then set that gap between the magnet/tooth with a .008" brass feeler gauge (your parts house will have a set of several brass ones one of which is .008". As said clean the bulkhead (metal bristle brush for the male half ones/spare male terminal for the female ones (NAPA 725147 99cents or one from your parts wiring pile}. check your terminals again. pull the yellow wire off of the starter relay to disable the starter & with a helper confirm the coil positive primary and blue/yellow ECU terminals are BOTH getting fire in ign1 ("run", key on) and in ign2 helper holding key to "start" (4) checks
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: JSSuperbee]
#1894149
08/18/15 02:43 AM
08/18/15 02:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,445 So Cal
Sinitro
master
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master
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Posts: 5,445
So Cal
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U can set the reluctor gap with a business card... Just move the pickup in close to the reluctor but not touching, insert the business card to check for adequate clearance, rotate the distributor to make sure everything kleers.. Note that problems can arise when the gap is too wide, and the ECU box will not fire but very few issues when set on the close side.. Also the point of kleening the bulkhead connections is pertinent... After 40 years the connections get krusty and oxidized.. Pull the connector apart, kleen with a small wire brush, slightly crimp down titer the female tab connector, coat with dia-lectric grease and reconnect... Just my $0.02...
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: Sinitro]
#1894156
08/18/15 02:50 AM
08/18/15 02:50 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
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Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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I just miked (2) business cards, one was 11&1/2 tho and the other was 15 and a half tho ! that is doable cuz the vac adv will open it way farther than that in operation. EDIT I did have that one spark same deal when letting off & it was either the ECU or the ballast I forget which. I was hesitant on posting/suggesting that since he has replaced both (& the prob can be elsewhere)
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: slantzilla]
#1894369
08/18/15 01:59 PM
08/18/15 01:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066 Eugene, Oregon
minivan
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
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Pull the bulkhead connector and check for corrosion. Very common problem on old Mopars. When you move the wires to the resistor it moves the bulkhead wires and gets them to make contact for a while. I believe it is the light blue wire in particular that causes issues. I would agree with this... but, I was having the same problem plus charging problems on my 67.. NEW everything on car... Turned out to be the battery cable connection on the starter relay was loose.. Not floppy loose, more snug than tight kind of loose... Might check it..
Last edited by minivan; 08/18/15 02:00 PM.
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: p d'ro]
#1894504
08/18/15 04:08 PM
08/18/15 04:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 328 Missouri, U.S.A.
JSSuperbee
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It cranks great......just that sometimes, not always it won't start.
James Stinebaker
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: Sinitro]
#1894530
08/18/15 04:42 PM
08/18/15 04:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 328 Missouri, U.S.A.
JSSuperbee
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Missouri, U.S.A.
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I just now checked the gap with a business card as you suggested. It seemed a little loose but not much. I set it and cleaned the tip of the rotor. It might take as much as 2 weeks before I know if the problem is solved as most of the time it has been starting but not always. As for the wiring and bulkhead.....they are all brand new. I installed all new when I restored the car. I only have 2100 miles on the restoration, so the bulkhead should be good.
Jim
James Stinebaker
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Re: Intermitten failure to start.
[Re: JSSuperbee]
#1895100
08/19/15 02:24 AM
08/19/15 02:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,641 Madrid, IA
hellrzr
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,641
Madrid, IA
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It cranks great......just that sometimes, not always it won't start. The times it cranks great but won't start do you know if it's getting any spark? Mine would do that. It cranked fine and would not start and I would check and have no spark but I would try again and it would have spark and then suddenly no spark again. It was very frustrating. It seems the starter going bad was pulling so much power from the battery that there wasn't enough power left to create a consitant spark to fire the coil. When it does start does it die suddenly? Like others have said, check that the ECU is grounded and check for loose contacts.
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