Electrical Help on a '56 (Long)

[RandalPark@xxxxxxx]

Good advice Steve, I would add that the battery cables should simply be 
replaced. They can often be corroded inside the insulation where you can't see 
it.

Paul

In a message dated 10/24/2003 7:10:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
miner@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

> 
> 
> Hi Jeff,
> The ballast resistor would not cause the car not to crank over and if the
> starter relay was bad you wouldn't even get a clicking sound. In 20 plus
> years of owning an auto repair shop, the number of Chrysler starter relays I
> had to replace I can count on one finger. If you have a clicking sound while
> trying to start that tells me at least you're getting some power to the
> starter just not enough to completely engage it. I'd take a good look at the
> following first-Battery condition and charge-cable connections at the
> battery, if you've already had the starter out that should eliminate the
> connection at the starter. Also check the condition of the cables
> themselves. Pull the cables from the battery and clean the posts inside. If
> you need further help, don't hesitate to call me at my shop (507)893-3512.
> Hope this helps.
> Steve Miner
> Miner Auto Service
> Winnebago, MN 56098
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <JCantor791@xxxxxxx>
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 9:58 PM
> Subject: IML: Electrical Help on a '56 (Long)
> 
> 
> > Thanks to everyone who has chimed in on the mysterious black knob.  I hate
> to
> > put you all in suspense but that question has taken a back seat to a more
> > important concern - getting the car started again.
> >
> > After the car was delivered last week I drove it twice for a total of
> about
> > 20 miles.  After the second trip the car refused to restart (fortunately
> it was
> > parked safely in my driveway), giving only that infamous clicking sound of
> a
> > dead starter.  I checked contacts and the battery to be sure and then
> pulled
> > the starter.  The solenoid contact broke during removal so I took it to a
> local
> > rebuilder on Monday.  Got it back this afternoon and installed it.  Same
> > clicking.  Removed it again and had it bench tested at the local parts
> store -
> > works like a charm.
> >
> > So now what?  I'm guessing, with some advice from the parts folks and a
> > rather knowledgeable neighbor, that the problem is one of two things [or b
> oth of
> > them :-( ]
> > 1.  Starter relay
> > 2.  Ballast resistor
> >
> > I've measured the resistance across the resistor - ~2 megohms which leads
> me
> > to believe it's dead although I couldn't find a definite value in the
> service
> > manual.
> >
> > Questions:
> > -   How can I determine the condition of the starter relay?
> > -   Where can I get replacements for either/both of these components?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Jeff
> > Trenton, NJ
> >
> >