Posted By: mopfried
Electric gremlins (long) - 06/24/14 03:58 AM
My 74 Scamp 440 sometimes when you turn the key doesn't do anything. I can sometimes move the floor shifter (auto console) and it will crank. Sometimes when it starts the fuel and temp gauge wont work. The other day it wouldn't do anything turning the key and the shifter deal didn't make a difference. I though all along maybe the neural switch was bad or needed adjusted. Anyhow I had no headlights or any anything. I though the battery wire was lose. it was a little but should have made enough contact to make something work. I jiggled the bunch of wires where it all goes into the fuse block and stuff started working. I turned the ignition switch on and a turn signal. I could move the wires around and make it stop working or start again. I am wondering what is the main power wire that feeds the whole thing. I did see a fusable link, is that the main power wire?
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: Electric gremlins (long) - 06/24/14 04:45 AM
power comes from the batt to starter relay to fusible link then to/thru the bulkhead & inside it goes to/thru the ammeter then to a T & the ign sw/headlight switch/some fuse box circuits/horn/brake lights are all hot all the time. Yes I would resolder/recrimp/checkout all of the loose areas you mentioned starting with the bulkhead. You might want to permanently ground the "grn" lug on the starter relay to bypass the NSS but I'd get all the terminals/connections shipshape & go from there
Posted By: stumpy
Re: Electric gremlins (long) - 06/24/14 04:48 AM
Where the wires run through the fire wall that big plug set gets corroded and the red main wire burns the contacts. Take it apart and check the wire terminals. I think you will find the big one burnt.
Posted By: mopfried
Re: Electric gremlins (long) - 06/24/14 12:07 PM
With the 440 and the M/P cast aluminum valve cover is very close to the bulkhead. I may take the valve cover off before I disconnect the wire connections. The fusible link seems a little soft... maybe it has a bad connection in it.
Posted By: mopfried
Re: Electric gremlins (long) - 06/25/14 03:02 AM
I removed the connections from the bulkhead and cleaned them up with a wire brush. They were a little dark but really not bad. I tried the best I could to clean up the female sockets on the bulkhead. I have everything working now but the starter with the igniton switch and the temp and fuel gauge. I even grounded the temp gauge and it didnt move. I can wiggle the bulkhead wires around and it dosent make any difference now so I am making progress. I can jump the starter solinoid and it starts. Out of time for tonight.
Posted By: Sxrxrnr
Re: Electric gremlins (long) - 06/25/14 09:35 AM
If anywhere like a 70 e body, check the connector that attaches the jumble of wires that exit the steering column(these include turn signals, starter circuit, ignition switch). This connector attaches exited steering column wiring to under dash wiring and at times certain wires can work loose in this connector causing random problems as you describe. It is a rather poor design.
Posted By: mopfried
Re: Electric gremlins (long) - 06/27/14 02:53 AM
Well good news. I grounded the "g" terminal and it fired right up. Im getting ready to craw under it and check the netural saftey switch wireing... I still dont have any gauges that work other than the alt gauge and the seat belt light.
Posted By: mopfried
Re: Electric gremlins (long) - 06/27/14 04:37 AM
Exhaust, floor shift linkage all in the way and gonna make it difficult to remove the switch. The reverse lights work so I figure there must be something wrong with the switch itself. The center wire supplies ground to the g terminal on the starter relay. I checked the fuse for the gauges and its good. Not geting power to it though. I did find a Valiant wiring diagram on MyMopar.com. Im gonna print it and check it out tomorrow.
Posted By: stumpy
Re: Electric gremlins (long) - 06/27/14 05:17 AM
Your start problem may be as simple as a cable readjustment. Easiest way to check it is hold the key in the start position and slowly move the shifter from park to neutral. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake. If it turns over then you are just out of adjustment.
Posted By: mopfried
Re: Electric gremlins (long) - 06/28/14 12:12 AM
Thanks for the reply Stumpy but I have tried that. It didn't work. Im figuring the switch is bad, or the wiring to it. Its a 3 pin and the wire I jumped is a ground. I just gotta get time to pull the switch off and check the center pin for ground while someone moves the shifter slowly..