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
>
>
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