Solenoid or ballast resistor?

[Smellslike1974]

I need help you guys. Since before taking my 318 I had ignition problems. Since putting the 318 back in I have gotten a new battery and replaced the ballast resister with one I thought worked from my 79 lebaron. Since doing that I still had a problem. I would charge my battery for a couple hours,then the next day I wouldn't have any or enough juice to start the motor. So something was obviously draining it. It went from that to not having anything happen when I turn the key. The car will start if I arc the solenoid. I took the solenoid apart,cleaned up all the connections,made sure everything was tight and I still had nothing.

My questions are:

Could it be my solenoid or my ballast resistor anything else?

Also I have been looking at solenoids. Do they make repos that actually look the same as original? All the aftermarkets look different.

Its no bother to me to replace either of them I just like knowing what and how the problem occurs.

[71bird]

Do you mean solenoid or relay? The solenoid is on the starter, the relay is on the inner fender.If you relay is nice looking you can get any after market one and put you cover on it. The covers are date coded. Also the parts store ones don't have that little vent filter like the factory ones. Rick Ehinberg ( not sure of my spelling ) of mopar action has some nos ones on ebay. His has the factory part number, but no date code.What I found out is the new parts store relays don't have as big of a contact area as original ones. So if nothings wrong with yours, you might be better of with it.And I don't know if anything changed between the 71-71 and later ones.

[Smellslike1974]

THANKYOU!

Its amazing how much farther you get when you have the correct terminology.

[gcoupe72]

If nothing happens when you turn the key, but will start with key on by jumping relay.

Then something is wrong with the "cranking" circuit. Could be the ignition switch,

but is probably a bad wire, or dirty connection.

Study your wiring diagram, and you'll know where to look.

Also. if an automatic car, the neutral safety switch.

If stick shift, the clutch interlock switch.

My bet would be bad/dirty connection, good luck!

[Smellslike1974]

Thanks for the help you guys. Like always my problem is solved with help from this forum!

Me and my dad did some trial and error. I was turning the key and he tapped the relay and the car started. He immediately said it was the relay but When I had it off before I remember one plug seemed odd to me. Turned the key again and I told him to shake that plug the next time. Sure enough its the black plastic plug that hugs the side of the relay when plugged in. Not sure where it goes or what its too but its worn out.

[1bluegtx]

For future reference, if a ballast resistor fails the car will still crank and start but will die as soon as the key is released from the starting position.

BRIAN