Help 1972 Newport

[joe307]

Thanks for help in advance. I had a 72 Newport that I recently sold to a friends son for his first old mopar. I had the car for about 3 years with zero issues. Two days after friends son has the car he calls and said it would not crank and there was smoke from under the hood. I went to look at it and any time the key is in run position it start to smoke the fusable like wire right off the battery and the one from the alternator but there are no blow fuses. I replaced the fuse wire tried in hooking the starter still did it. I unplugged the connector under dash to the key switch. The red wire looks a little burnt. I was thinking possibly a problem in the ignition switch or if anyone else has seen this or knows of a common issue. Thanks appreciate any help that is offered.

 

[Lefty71]

Others will know better than me, but a wire smoking is finding a short to ground. I would try disconnecting possible components one at a time and retry from there, starting with the alternator.

 

[junior340]

Ask him if he did anything at all different even wash the engine would mess up a weak ground.
Usually it is a poor ground or bulk head at firewall issue.
No new stereo I hope.
Electrical , be careful.
Teach him about fire extinguisher while your there.

 

[moparedtn]

Ask him if he did anything at all different even wash the engine would mess up a weak ground.
Usually it is a poor ground or bulk head at firewall issue.
No new stereo I hope.
Electrical , be careful.
Teach him about fire extinguisher while your there.

Agree. Follow the clues - what has changed since the car was last in your posession?

 

[joe307]

As far as I know he drove it for two days filled the gas tank once and then it started this issue. I’m supposed to go try to help him figure it out tomorrow evening weather permitting. I’ll post with updates.

 

[jimbosride]

Check starter solenoid and power wires to starter. A loose starter or wires in contact with something maybe the issues.

But me be no expert