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1974 Plymouth Duster Intermittent Start

Tiny
WOLF1961
  • MEMBER
  • 1974 PLYMOUTH DUSTER
1974 Plymouth Duster V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

HI Guys.I have a `74 DUSTER 360 Magnum Engine. It`s a Factory Engine. I turn the Key to Start & Nothing. I went out & wiggled the Harness located on the Driversside Fender, turned the Key & it started ! It does this everytime I go to start the car. Is it a Bad Wire in the Harness? Let Me know if You can. Thank You Very Much for Your Time. Sincerely, Dave. GREAT WEBSITE !
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Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 11:00 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Dave:
If I had to guess, I would say there is a splice in the harness that is corroded or loose causing the problem. Also, can you tell where the harness is going to? Could it be to the starter relay, starter?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 11:50 PM
Tiny
WOLF1961
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HI Joe. Thank You Very Much for Your Reply. The harness runs from the Firewall, & branches off to the Starter & Relay. PLEASE let Me know if You think it might be something else. Thanks Again Joe. I look forward to hearing from You. Have a Good One, Dave
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Saturday, March 21st, 2009 AT 8:43 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Dave,

You already have identified in general where the problem is. Make sure all plugs are tight and clean. Also, make sure the wires going to the starter are clean and tight. THe relay is another place where a bad connection can cause the problem.

If everything looks good, cut into the harness and look for splices that may have corroded and are not making good connections. I have even seen wires that look perfect, but have broken down under the insulation. One would never know it was bad without a continuity test or by luck moving that one wire and seeing the problem surface.

You hit the area of the problem, now we just need to find the specific problem there. I feel confident that you fill locate it.

Let me know if you find it, or if you have other questions.

Joe
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Saturday, March 21st, 2009 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
WOLF1961
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
HI Joe. Thank You So Much for Your Help & Advice. I forgot to mention that, when I turn the Key- sometimes I have power, sometimes I don`t- Looking at My Alt. Gauge. If I wiggle the Harness I will get Power, but have to wiggle it somemore in order for the Starter to Spin. I`m still thinking it`s a Wire. What do You think? In the mean time, I`ll check ALL Connections, & the Wiring in the Harness. Thanks Again Joe for All Your Help. Have a Good One, Dave
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Saturday, March 21st, 2009 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Dave, you are very welcome. I am glad to help. It is hard not being there to see what you are dealing with, but I really feel you have a bad connection. In fact, if there are times there is nothing, make sure the ground wire from the battery to the engine block is clean and tight. You may be moving it just enough to make a connection when you move things.

Let me know what you find. Also, great car. I wish I had one. I miss the old ones. I had a 68 Super Bee that was from california. It had no rust, and I put it away every winter until I lost my storage. At the time I was in college, and my father refused to keep it at his house. So at that time (around 1985) I had to begg someone for 2K for it. Today, it would be worth about 50K. Thanks dad! So keep it. The dusters were one of my favorites. It's better than anything you'll get today.

Joe
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Saturday, March 21st, 2009 AT 11:33 PM
Tiny
WOLF1961
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
HI Joe. Hey, I can`t THANK YOU ENOUGH for Your Help & ADVICE ! I`ve been tinkering with cars since I was 14. I kind of thought that was the problem, But just needed to have it Confirmed by someone. SORRY to hear about Your SUPER BEE. That had to hurt ! They are worth a Pretty Penny Now. I got this Duster on a TRADE for My 1972 Duster with a Built 440 & Built Automatic. I ran out of Room & Money, & the Guy that wanted My car had this `74 Factory 360- which is what I wanted for Years. I hated to let the 440 Duster go, But this was the Car of My Dreams. I`ll hang onto it for as long as I can. The shape it`s in, is worth around $8500-$9000. With times being so hard, aspecially Up here in St. Helen, MI.- I could use the Money, but we`ll see what happens down the road. I really hope You get a Super Bee down the road ! Things seem to happen in time, so who knows. When weather turns nice enough, I`ll go out & play around with it, & see what happens. Again Joe, THANKS SO MUCH. It was a Pleasure Talking to You. Hope to Speak with You again in the Future. If You`d ever like to Email- I`m at ( wolf1961@charter. Net ) Take Care, & Have A Good One. Dave Coddington
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Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 AT 11:19 AM
Tiny
WOLF1961
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Hey Joe.I found the problem. It turned out to be the Ballast Resister ! I forgot about these things going bad. I put a NEW one in & it fired right up ! Just thought I`d let You know. Have a Good One, Dave from St. Helen, MI.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2009 AT 12:30 PM

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