383 won't start

cuda hunter

cuda hunter

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This is a 71 newport custom 383. 1971 Newport Custom JabberJaw
It starts fine several times around town.
Get it home, park it and unplug the battery so it doesn't drain the battery.
Go to start it a few days later and no start. Power everywhere, battery is at 90-95%.
Just no start.
One time, I managed to crawl under the car and screwdriver the starter selenoid and then I turned the ignition key and the car started and continued to start for another 12 starts or so.

The main question is this, is the starter selenoid the issue here? I've tried smacking it a few times to no avail. Time for a starter?
Should I try the direct power to the selenoid again with a ground rod?
 
I had this happen last year with the Cicada, I just jumped it at the relay, and then the key worked for a while. Turns out my ammeter was erratic, so I put a jumper between the alternator and the big stud on the relay. Car started fine after that. But I've had the issue with the key not working again a couple of times, but jumping the relay has worked so far.
 
Of course, the relay. I always forget about that.
I'll try that to see if it starts.
 
Or your neutral start switch is loose. But likely relay. (NSS also connects to the relay and provides the path to ground)​
 
The leads to the relay were famous for corroding. Clean and inspect them to be sure all of the spade connectors have a tight fit. If you live in salt country, remove the cover for the relay and inspect the contacts, they also corrode.

Dave
 
I used my remote starter switch. Positive of battery to relay. Received the same click. Sounds like it is a selenoid on the starter. Looks like I'll have to change the starter.

20210619_133656.jpg
 
This is a Nebraska car, I don't think it has ever seen salt. The relay leads appear clean. Your right though, taking them apart and cleaning them would be the ticket. I'll do that.
 
If you can start it by jumping the connections at the starter, it's not the starter.

Chances are it's the starter relay... NSS is always in the loop too along with all the wiring and connections to it all.

My money is on the relay though. Not an uncommon failure part.
 
So the soonest I can get a starter relay in my town is Tuesday. I need to move this car so I can get my other newport out of the garage. How do I wire this so that I can start it once or twice, no road time.
Basically bypass the starter relay.
Does that bypass the neutral safety switch?
How can I bypass just the NSS so that I can diagnose that it is not the NSS?

I will try for a second time to hit the starter with a screwdriver for diagnosis purposes.
Before it didn't crank more than a second or two. Then I got in and used the ignition key.
 
Make sure you are in neutral or park. Maybe put E -brake on as well. Contact these two terminals with a screw driver or heavy 10 gauge jumper. Your remote start tool is likely to have to small gauge of wire. In this case you are totally bypassing the ignition switch (will crank with switch off), starter relay, and NSS.
image.jpg
image.jpg

If it cranks it is not the solenoid. If it doesn’t crank it could be loose starter terminals or bad starter solenoid. If it does crank It could be the relay, NSS or ignition switch.
 
NSS Switch test. (if it cranks when terminals contacted above) Pull brown wire on relay (on my ‘68 is NSS) and ground the terminal on the relay. Car I park or neutral, e brake on. Try cranking with the ignition key. If it cranks. Likely something from the brown wire down to your transmission NSS.
image.jpg
 
If it still doesn’t crank, leave the NSS grounded. Then connect your remote start or a jumper between the ignition terminal and Battery. Yellow wire on my’68. In park with E brake on. If it cranks its not the relay. If it doesn’t crank. It is the relay.
image.jpg

If it does crank plug the NSS back in. Try your remote start again. If it still cranks your issue is between your switch and relay.

About 5-10 minutes t trouble shoot.

image.jpg
 
Awesome! That's what I needed. I'll check it out when it stops raining. Finally rain!
Although, I think 10 minutes is shy by about 30 minutes as I will come back in and read this several times so that I don't confuse things. Thanks!!
 
cuda hunter said:
Only because I never have. Nor have I read about it or seen that it is possible.
Click to expand...

Be SURE of your RELAY first. You can get a new one, pop it in, THEN worry about the starter solenoid if you need/want to. Grounding the NSS lead is a good first step in testing the relay. I've had to diddle with mine a few yrs ago, and finally spent the small change to get a new one. Then, when I had some funny stuff w the old starter later, I replaced it. If you go that road, get a brand new one. Re-manufactured stuff gets done minimally, with just the labor needed to clean things up, make it work a bit, and go to customers.

Mind you, the FSMs often go into details on how to rebuild the solenoid, and the starter motor itself, if you have time and a bit of skill, such as mechanics of 50-60 yrs ago did. I do, but I also have a couple toddlers aged 6 and 2 to attend to.... so I can't always putter with every accessory on my ride.
 
68PK21 440.6bbl said:
Why not just change or repair the solenoid? Most of all the failed or erratic Mopar starters I came across had the big copper plated contact bolt burnt out.

View attachment 467614

.
Click to expand...
While that is the usual problem with the starters, and I have changed them, since he "jumped" the contacts on the starter, which engages the solenoid that drives the drive gear into the ring gear AND makes the contact that turns the starter (with the contact above), he actually proved that was OK and working properly.

If he jumped the contacts on the starter and it DIDN'T work, yep, that's probably the culprit.
 
cuda hunter said:
Only because I never have. Nor have I read about it or seen that it is possible.
Click to expand...

In case you get board waiting for the rain to let up. You can check out this thread.
You are likely not ready for a starter replacement yet, but in case you want to learn about rebuilding the original starter. (Cue the mini starter fanatics). Here is a thread that will give you a look at some of the pieces. The 72 starter is very similar some of the solenoid part numbers are a little different.
Chrysler Starter disassembly and refresh.
 
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