XS22J8R
Well-Known Member
I've had an issue with my '78 Magnum when starting it. It's a 360 4 barrel, all the lean burn gadgetry is gone.
Often when turning the key to start it, the starter cranks but nothing happens, not even a hiccup. Though when turning the key back out of starter mode it will often hiccup briefly just before the key hits the off position.
After 3 or 4 attempts the car will usually fire right up. Once running its fine. But after turning it off all bets are off if it will start again. It used to be it would be usually be fine when first starting up in my garage but after going to a car show or something it would fight me trying to start it up to go home, so I thought maybe hot weather had an effect on this.
I replaced the ECU but that didn't help. Some suggested the ballast resistor (4 prong), and at a cruise in July when having the problem a friend brought over a spare one and we plugged it in. Car fired right up. I shut down, then plugged back into my ballast resistor and it fired up first try.
I then got a new ballast resistor and installed it, but same problem still happens.
I find now when it won't start, I can unplug the ballast resistor, then plug it back in, and then the car will start right up at the first try.
I'm pretty much of a moron when it comes to diagnosing electrical issues. Would this indicate something bad with the plug, corrosion, a bad ground perhaps?
I always manage to get the car started eventually but I worry at some point the tricks won't work. And I'd like to get this issue resolved because otherwise the car behaves great and is super reliable!
Often when turning the key to start it, the starter cranks but nothing happens, not even a hiccup. Though when turning the key back out of starter mode it will often hiccup briefly just before the key hits the off position.
After 3 or 4 attempts the car will usually fire right up. Once running its fine. But after turning it off all bets are off if it will start again. It used to be it would be usually be fine when first starting up in my garage but after going to a car show or something it would fight me trying to start it up to go home, so I thought maybe hot weather had an effect on this.
I replaced the ECU but that didn't help. Some suggested the ballast resistor (4 prong), and at a cruise in July when having the problem a friend brought over a spare one and we plugged it in. Car fired right up. I shut down, then plugged back into my ballast resistor and it fired up first try.
I then got a new ballast resistor and installed it, but same problem still happens.
I find now when it won't start, I can unplug the ballast resistor, then plug it back in, and then the car will start right up at the first try.
I'm pretty much of a moron when it comes to diagnosing electrical issues. Would this indicate something bad with the plug, corrosion, a bad ground perhaps?
I always manage to get the car started eventually but I worry at some point the tricks won't work. And I'd like to get this issue resolved because otherwise the car behaves great and is super reliable!