Cannot get starter to crank

[Moseman]

I know this is the C body forum, but there are many smart old guys here.

I started to get my 73 Charger ready to go into the shop to have the dash and new instrument panel installed.
First thing I did was to connect the two wires that run to the ampmeter. It turned over for about 5 seconds, then stopped. Okay, try the Lone Wolf 6000 to jump past the relay. Nothing. Pull starter. It is good. Had a new one laying around. Put it in. Again nothing when you jump past the relay.
Battery is good. (battery tender is on it all the time)
What am I missing? I must be stupid! It should crank when you send power directly to the starter solenoid. I hate to crawl back under to see if I have power to the main power post on the starter. (It is upside down (mini starter)

Thanks everyone.


One update: there are 3-4 items that have to be good for the starter to turn over.
1. Good Battery
2. Good starter
3. Good Ground
4. Power to starter

1 Test the ground. Good to go!
2. Test the battery. 13.1 volts. Good to go
3 Tested the battery. New, solenoid works, starter turns
4. Need to test power to starter.

 

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

Sounds like maybe a negative battery cable/terminal issue. Try jumping the negative battery post to the block with a jumper cable.

 

[Moseman]

Got it, that is easy.

 

[Moseman]

Sounds like maybe a negative battery cable/terminal issue. Try jumping the negative battery post to the block with a jumper cable.

Highly likely. The car has sat for quite a while. It takes about 12 months to have the instrument panel rebuilt.

 

[CBODY67]

When was the last time the battery terminals and cable ends were cleaned with a wire brush terminal cleaner? "Gunk" can reside between the battery post and the terminal end, undetected, and thwart current flow. Even with a strong battery!

From my experience,
CBODY67

 

[Moseman]

When was the last time the battery terminals and cable ends were cleaned with a wire brush terminal cleaner? "Gunk" can reside between the battery post and the terminal end, undetected, and thwart current flow. Even with a strong battery!

From my experience,
CBODY67

You are probably correct. I will check tomorrow. I will follow up after I check the ground.
Thank you so much.

 

[The Goose]

I know this is the C body forum, but there are many smart old guys here.

I started to get my 73 Charger ready to go into the shop to have the dash and new instrument panel installed.
First thing I did was to connect the two wires that run to the ampmeter. It turned over for about 5 seconds, then stopped. Okay, try the Lone Wolf 6000 to jump past the relay. Nothing. Pull starter. It is good. Had a new one laying around. Put it in. Again nothing when you jump past the relay.
Battery is good. (battery tender is on it all the time)
What am I missing? I must be stupid! It should crank when you send power directly to the starter solenoid. I hate to crawl back under to see if I have power to the main power post on the starter. (It is upside down (mini starter)

Thanks everyone.

Try

I know this is the C body forum, but there are many smart old guys here.

I started to get my 73 Charger ready to go into the shop to have the dash and new instrument panel installed.
First thing I did was to connect the two wires that run to the ampmeter. It turned over for about 5 seconds, then stopped. Okay, try the Lone Wolf 6000 to jump past the relay. Nothing. Pull starter. It is good. Had a new one laying around. Put it in. Again nothing when you jump past the relay.
Battery is good. (battery tender is on it all the time)
What am I missing? I must be stupid! It should crank when you send power directly to the starter solenoid. I hate to crawl back under to see if I have power to the main power post on the starter. (It is upside down (mini starter)

Thanks everyone.

Whenever an oldie gives me trouble cranking over. I always try it in neutral before I blow stuff apart.