Strange starting issue

Here's how Mopar starting systems work:

You have three important wires and separate switch contacts in the ignition switch

(Actually 4, including the accessory switch circuit)

You have the traditional "dark blue" hot in run, feeds ignition system, charging system (regulator) and power to instruments and oil light NOT FUSED

You have the traditional yellow which triggers the start relay if the trans is in park/ neutral

You have the traditional BROWN from the key which BYPASSES the coil resistor in start.

So on one side of the coil resistor you have a wire going to the coil AND the BROWN

On the "key" side of the resistor, you have the 'dark blue' coming from the key, and tapped off to feed the regulator

You need to make some checks with a meter

First, if this uses a Mopar style magnetic distributor, make sure the reluctor is gapped correctly

Second, Take your meter and hook to the "key" side of the ballast. Turn the key on, engine off. You are looking for voltage with LESS than 1/2 volt difference from the battery. A better, more direct way to measure this is to turn the key to "run" and place one probe on the "dark blue" at the ballast, the other probe directly onto your battery positive post. If you read more than 1/2 volt (and that is generous) you have a problem, either with wiring, or mroe likely the connections at the resistor, the bulkhead connector, the connector on the ignition switch, or the switch itself

Next, check your "cranking" power. Clip one lead of your meter to the coil POS terminal, the other to battery pos. post. Crank the engine USING THE KEY. You should once again read NO MORE than 1/2 volt DROP. To double check, measure from coil POS to ground while cranking. You should get very close to "same as battery" IE 10.5 volts or higher.

IF this is low, once again, it indicates a drop through the bulkhead connector, the ignition switch connector, or the switch itself.

Get back into the switch and check there if any question as to where you are "losing juice."



NOTE with your specific problem, concentrate on the "brown" on the coil side of the resistor. You are PROBABLY suffering a poor connection at the bulkhead connector