Help, '71 Charger Wont Shut Off
#3139917
04/22/23 09:26 AM
04/22/23 09:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,196 Rochester, New York
GregY
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,196
Rochester, New York
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Hi Everyone,
I thought I had my '71 Charger all sorted out, and then today it wouldn't shut off unless I removed the negative battery cable. It would just continue to run even with the key off (like dieseling running, not running-running). As soon as I touch the negative battery cable to the post, it starts to crank but doesn't start. If I turn the the key, it will resume running normally.
I am guessing it's the ignition switch, does that seem right? Anything else to look for?
Also, will an ignition switch for a tilt-wheel car work for a non-tilt wheel? Nobody seems to have the non-tilt ones in stock.
I have a love-hate relationship with this car, that was trending back toward love until this morning....
Thanks.
Greg
Last edited by GregY; 04/22/23 09:53 AM.
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Re: Help, '71 Charger Wont Shut Off
[Re: GregY]
#3139938
04/22/23 11:17 AM
04/22/23 11:17 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,425 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
NITROUSN
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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I disconnected the two big connectors (7 or 8 wires each) of wires under the dash coming out of the column, and that made no difference if one of those was the right one to disconnect. Is that what you were talking about NITROUSN?
It is sort of acting like the ignition switch is stuck in the run position or something. When I connect the neg. battery cable and it starts to turn over, I just need to move the key to "run" (don't need to go to "start") and the motor runs normally.
I also disconnected all the wires going to relay, and that made no difference.
Thanks for any continued help.
Greg
Yes. Now unplug the two small wires on the relay and see what it does.
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Re: Help, '71 Charger Wont Shut Off
[Re: NITROUSN]
#3139942
04/22/23 11:24 AM
04/22/23 11:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,196 Rochester, New York
GregY
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,196
Rochester, New York
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I disconnected the two big connectors (7 or 8 wires each) of wires under the dash coming out of the column, and that made no difference if one of those was the right one to disconnect. Is that what you were talking about NITROUSN?
It is sort of acting like the ignition switch is stuck in the run position or something. When I connect the neg. battery cable and it starts to turn over, I just need to move the key to "run" (don't need to go to "start") and the motor runs normally.
I also disconnected all the wires going to relay, and that made no difference.
Thanks for any continued help.
Greg
Yes. Now unplug the two small wires on the relay and see what it does. Okay thank you. I disconnected the two small wires at the bottom the relay (blade style connecters) and it does the same thing, starts cranking over as soon as the neg cable hits the post. Is it the starter do you think? The other symptom that I didn't mention is a whining type sound that I had never heard before that was coming from the engine compartment when the motor is running normally. I didn't know if it was related or not, but I wonder if it's the starter continuing to spin while the motor is running?
Last edited by GregY; 04/22/23 11:35 AM.
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Re: Help, '71 Charger Wont Shut Off
[Re: GregY]
#3139948
04/22/23 11:43 AM
04/22/23 11:43 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,180 upstate western ny
sogtx
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,180
upstate western ny
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What up Greg ? How are you ? What kind of starter do you have ? Hit it with a hammer ! Chances are solenoid stuck in it . When you're done loving& Hating car , call me ! Id like a 71 Charger!
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Re: Help, '71 Charger Wont Shut Off
[Re: GregY]
#3139952
04/22/23 11:51 AM
04/22/23 11:51 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,425 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
NITROUSN
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,425
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
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I disconnected the two big connectors (7 or 8 wires each) of wires under the dash coming out of the column, and that made no difference if one of those was the right one to disconnect. Is that what you were talking about NITROUSN?
It is sort of acting like the ignition switch is stuck in the run position or something. When I connect the neg. battery cable and it starts to turn over, I just need to move the key to "run" (don't need to go to "start") and the motor runs normally.
I also disconnected all the wires going to relay, and that made no difference.
Thanks for any continued help.
Greg
Yes. Now unplug the two small wires on the relay and see what it does. Okay thank you. I disconnected the two small wires at the bottom the relay (blade style connecters) and it does the same thing, starts cranking over as soon as the neg cable hits the post. Is it the starter do you think? The other symptom that I didn't mention is a whining type sound that I had never heard before that was coming from the engine compartment when the motor is running normally. I didn't know if it was related or not, but I wonder if it's the starter continuing to spin while the motor is running? Now unscrew the smaller connector and take the wire loose. Check for voltage at the relays terminal. If there is the relay is bad. If there isn't the problem is in the starter.
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Re: Help, '71 Charger Wont Shut Off
[Re: NITROUSN]
#3139957
04/22/23 12:02 PM
04/22/23 12:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,196 Rochester, New York
GregY
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,196
Rochester, New York
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I disconnected the two big connectors (7 or 8 wires each) of wires under the dash coming out of the column, and that made no difference if one of those was the right one to disconnect. Is that what you were talking about NITROUSN?
It is sort of acting like the ignition switch is stuck in the run position or something. When I connect the neg. battery cable and it starts to turn over, I just need to move the key to "run" (don't need to go to "start") and the motor runs normally.
I also disconnected all the wires going to relay, and that made no difference.
Thanks for any continued help.
Greg
Yes. Now unplug the two small wires on the relay and see what it does. Okay thank you. I disconnected the two small wires at the bottom the relay (blade style connecters) and it does the same thing, starts cranking over as soon as the neg cable hits the post. Is it the starter do you think? The other symptom that I didn't mention is a whining type sound that I had never heard before that was coming from the engine compartment when the motor is running normally. I didn't know if it was related or not, but I wonder if it's the starter continuing to spin while the motor is running? Now unscrew the smaller connector and take the wire loose. Check for voltage at the relays terminal. If there is the relay is bad. If there isn't the problem is in the starter. Okay, so with both under column connectors disconnected, and three wires removed from the relay (the bottom two and the middle one), there is voltage at the post at the top (which still has two wires connected to it, one going to the battery and one going back toward the firewall) and no voltage anywhere else (at the other 3 terminals). So it's looking like the starter, correct?
Last edited by GregY; 04/22/23 12:06 PM.
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Re: Help, '71 Charger Wont Shut Off
[Re: GregY]
#3139976
04/22/23 12:50 PM
04/22/23 12:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,425 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
NITROUSN
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,425
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
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Correct, as it sits right now with all that stuff disconnected, it cranks as soon as I connect the neg battery cable. Looks like I will be trying a new starter.
Thank you so much for helping me through this, it is much appreciated. I am more hack than mechanic, it is a struggle sometimes.
Greg
The starter has solenoid contacts that are most likely stuck together. Low battery voltage can cause that.
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Re: Help, '71 Charger Wont Shut Off
[Re: moparx]
#3140040
04/22/23 06:45 PM
04/22/23 06:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,810 Sobieski Wi
bee1971
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,810
Sobieski Wi
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My 71 Superbee would do this very thing on occasion
Kept going thru starter relays
Replaced ignition switch
Car would start , starter would stay engaged
Key off , starter still engaged cranking over
Factory hood pins sure didn’t help getting to the battery
The reproduction positive battery cable going down to the starter You have the main positive cable off the positive side of battery Then wrapped next to that is the starter relay cable
Here , under the black wrapping , the two wire cables where rubbing against the factory cable bracket mounted on the frame
Dead short
The factory starter cable bracket had lost its rubber protection over the two prongs , and eventually rubbed thru the insulation protecting the positive cables creating a short that you couldn’t see from the front side until I removed the starter , then that positive cable , and started working myself backwards
Simple but very frustrating , especially at car shows
Last edited by bee1971; 04/22/23 06:52 PM.
1971 Dodge Charger Superbee 2011 Ram Sport 1500 Quad Cab Deep Water Blue Loaded Siberian Huskies
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Re: Help, '71 Charger Wont Shut Off
[Re: dvw]
#3140212
04/23/23 06:58 PM
04/23/23 06:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,196 Rochester, New York
GregY
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,196
Rochester, New York
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My bet is the wires at the starter itself have rotated and are touching each other. Doug Yep, you nailed it, and I think the guy above you was saying the same thing. In the process of all of this, it fried a wire under the dash, apparently the wire that controls the whole car starting, ignition firing, etc. Once I got that fixed, I was back in business. Thanks for all of the help. Greg
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Re: Help, '71 Charger Wont Shut Off
[Re: GregY]
#3140225
04/23/23 08:02 PM
04/23/23 08:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 404 IL us
ink
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 404
IL us
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My bet is the wires at the starter itself have rotated and are touching each other. Doug Yep, you nailed it, and I think the guy above you was saying the same thing. In the process of all of this, it fried a wire under the dash, apparently the wire that controls the whole car starting, ignition firing, etc. Once I got that fixed, I was back in love !!! {fixed} Thanks for all of the help. Greg
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