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Starter wont turn

Bill Monk

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New to the site but not to Mopar, had em when you couldn't give em away, now you have to mortgage the house! I'm stumped on this one people so here goes:

69 roadrunner, original 383, now with a 440 6bbl. Original 4 speed car, still is. Just bought this car and already loosing more hair. Starter would not attempt to turn the flywheel. It just made a single pop when the solenoid kicks in and it engages the flywheel. Battery is good, grounds are good and both battery cables are new. Thought for sure it was the starter since it was starting fine and then suddenly stopped. I replaced the starter with a mini starter and I still have the exact same thing...a single solid pop when the solenoid does it's thing but the starter doesn't turn the engine. Yes, I turned the engine by hand and it isn't locked up. Help a brother out!!!!
 
Try jumping the solenoid on the firewall, what happens ? (if you're not sure what I'm referring to, use a remote starter switch across the 2 big lugs on the solenoid, or do it the lazy way I've always done by a big-*** screwdriver across the 2 posts)
 
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Screw driver to jump the starter solenoid works fine too!
 
It just made a single pop when the solenoid kicks in and it engages the flywheel.
Two things I'd look at. First, when the solenoid kicks in, how is the actual gear to gear engagement? Should be full, with a little backlash, so it doesn't bind.
Second, I would bench test the starter, just to be sure the solenoid is acting right. Should kick out the gear to the stop, and spin. Understand you've tried two different starters.
 
I wouldn't think it was the relay because the solenoid is engaging the flywheel but maybe, it's cheap so I'll replace it and see what that does. On the ground issue, I have new cables and cleaned them, still no change. Yes, I checked the battery and tried to jump it at the relay, I havent tried jumping across the starter posts, but might after I replace the relay. I did not bench test the starter but Ma Mopars starter was working just fine until this mess started, after changing it out, the same problem so I'm inclined to think it's not the starter. To add insult to injury, after I replace and installed the new starter, I bench tested the old one and it tested out ok. This is driving me nuts! My primary ground is attached to the first intake bolt on the left side, is that correct? I don't think it matters though as long as the ground is solid.
 
Try grounding directly to the starter. If it is a ground problem that should confirm it.
Some one may have painted the trans mounting surface to the block.
 
Make sure the relay on the dash is grounded well through the mounting screws, I had an intermittent no-start due to this.
 
Make sure the relay on the dash is grounded well through the mounting screws, I had an intermittent no-start due to this.
thanks man, I seem to be getting all the same recomendations that I would give as well but something is missing on this one. It's a simple circuit and I understand it but still not getting anywhere. I took a simple circuit tester and clipped the ground wire of the tester to the ground on the relay and touched the hot tip to the battery and it lit up the same as if I had it clipped to the negative terminal of the battery. One thing I do know, it's making me crazy!
 
Try jumping the battery to a running car; or take the battery to the parts store and have them load test it. Good luck.
 
Test lights are great tools but for serious testing get a volt, ohm meter.
 
Just bought this car and already loosing more hair. Starter would not attempt to turn the flywheel.
I'll have to ask, since I don't know all the gory details. But, have heard of such nonsense. Sound dumb, or not.
Have you actually had the engine start for you, since you've bought it? From what you've described, I'll assume you would have noticed if teeth were broken off, on the flywheel. No expert on it, since I don't mess with gear bangers, but think there are different sizes (diameters) of flywheels. Wonder if your's is the correct diameter?
Any rate, something is skipping the beat, so to speak!
 
I just seen you said its not locked up, I had a bad alternator hold a motor from turning.

I would grab a jump pack, disconnect the cars battery and clip power right to the starter, could be anything, a bad power cable (seen them look new but not carry voltage), weak battery, bad starter, bad solenoid, had tons of Bendix issues, weak battery.
if the jump box doesn't turn it and you can turn it by hand with modest effort, the starter is bad. But 2 starters 1 new both doing the same thing, seems fishy to me.
 
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I just seen you said its not locked up, I had a bad alternator hold a motor from turning.

I would grab a jump pack, disconnect the cars battery and clip power right to the starter, could be anything, a bad power cable (seen them look new but not carry voltage), weak battery, bad starter, bad solenoid, had tons of Bendix issues, weak battery.
if the jump box doesn't turn it and you can turn it by hand with modest effort, the starter is bad. But 2 starters 1 new both doing the same thing, seems fishy to me.
I'm with you on the fishy. I can turn it at the flywheel. Have a flywheel turning tool, it's tight but it should be with the plugs in.
 
I'm with you on the fishy. I can turn it at the flywheel. Have a flywheel turning tool, it's tight but it should be with the plugs in.

Well tight is a relative term, just for the sake of argument loosen the accessory belt and tap the key. Also MAKE sure you have good power, I have seen people try to jump them and put a battery next to the car with jumper cables, if your battery cooked, or alternator, it wont turn no matter what. Batteries suck.

If your motor turns by hand, and you put power right to the lug on the starter and it doesn't turn its a bad starter.
them are the 2 spots I would start at.
1- make sure the motor turns easily
2- jump that starter directly with a booster pack or good battery directly to it

If it turns when you jump it, your problem is obviously before the starter
 
I'll have to ask, since I don't know all the gory details. But, have heard of such nonsense. Sound dumb, or not.
Have you actually had the engine start for you, since you've bought it? From what you've described, I'll assume you would have noticed if teeth were broken off, on the flywheel. No expert on it, since I don't mess with gear bangers, but think there are different sizes (diameters) of flywheels. Wonder if your's is the correct diameter?
Any rate, something is skipping the beat, so to speak!
Yeah, started multiple times and of course drove the car before I bought it. I actually started it the day it quit and then the trouble started. The flywheel looks good and as I said before, the problem is still there after replacing the starter...I hate electrical stuff!
 
Well tight is a relative term, just for the sake of argument loosen the accessory belt and tap the key. Also MAKE sure you have good power, I have seen people try to jump them and put a battery next to the car with jumper cables, if your battery cooked, or alternator, it wont turn no matter what. Batteries suck.

If your motor turns by hand, and you put power right to the lug on the starter and it doesn't turn its a bad starter.
them are the 2 spots I would start at.
1- make sure the motor turns easily
2- jump that starter directly with a booster pack or good battery directly to it

If it turns when you jump it, your problem is obviously before the starter
Thanks, I'll figure it out but man I hate electrical stuff!
 
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