83 LTD wagon won't start

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rx7mike - 17 Apr 2005 22:58 GMT

Hey I got a 1983 LTD wagon thats getting no power to the starter.
know its not the starter b/c I just put in a new one cause I though
that was the problem...nope. Put in a new selonoid (sp?) and th
battery is not dead

When I turn the key to "start". the radio will turn off and lights i
dash kinda dim like it would when you start any car, but notin
happens with the starter. just silence.

Need help

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Happy Traveler - 17 Apr 2005 23:46 GMT

From your description it sounds like the voltage drops a lot when the
starter is energized. Not sure how you know that your battery is in good
shape (same result when attempting to jump-start, perhaps?). If you are
certain that the battery is good, check its connections (positive and ground
side; don't forget the connection to the engine block). Loose clamps or
corroded cables come to mind.

> When I turn the key to "start". the radio will turn off and lights in
> dash kinda dim like it would when you start any car, but noting
> happens with the starter. just silence.

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sleepdog@optonline.net - 19 Apr 2005 05:14 GMT

Check the connections to the starter relay, they should be clean, what
is the voltage to starter? Also check resistance to ground from the
battery just for good measure, should be none if I remember correctly.

If the ground is good you can try connecting a jumper cable to the
positive battery terminal and touching the other end to the starter
terminal. If you get a crank check the components between the battery
and the starter, i.e., starter relay.

I jump started an old dodge like this before, YMMV. I think it had a
bad ballast resistor, I forget.

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