68 dart won't f*ing start:(

[The Girl]

On Feb 5 my dart decided to not start. I drove it to work the day before and drove it the afternoon of the 5th. We had been having some horrible cold weather and my car started and ran beautifully the entire time. The day it would not start I thought I had flooded it--same type symptoms. turns over and over and over but won't fire. since all this started my friend and I have worked on it here and there a little at a time. A new petronix ignitor installed -still won't start, coil is good, new ballast resistor, plugs are good. It's getting gas....yesterday I took the carb apart and cleaned it. Once while trying to start it, there was a bang like a rocket shooting out of my tail pipe (?). yesterday while trying it did start for a nanosecond then died again. I bought this dart in March 09...I am only the third owner. It supposedly has a rebuilt motor and every indication has been that it really was. The car has ran very very well for 11 months. Even drove it on my vacation last summer. help. I need fresh ideas.

 

[calebsmopars]

time to pull the heads man check it out before something major happens

 

[ramcharger]

What engine? Have you done a compression check yet?

 

[The Girl]

273 V-8 have not done anything except what is listed. How the hell could it run so wonderful one minute then nothing?

 

[ramcharger]

It could have skipped a tooth on the timing chain if it's got high miles.

 

[nothingbutdarts]

273 V-8 have not done anything except what is listed. How the hell could it run so wonderful one minute then nothing?

Easy there, I bet it's something simple! You said it ran just for a second, If the "Balast Resistor" is bad it could start while the key is in the cranking mode till you let go of the key and it goes to the "Run" side of the ign. switch. It could be the ign. switch. Do you know for sure it's getting "spark" the whole time you are cranking it over? Are you sure the timing is set close? (who put in the pertronix module and was the distributor removed to do the changeover?)

 

[MVRCorp]

First:
Check the voltage on the coil side of the ballast resistor. With the ignition on it should be 6-8 volts. While cranking it should be close to 12 volts.

Second:
I had a Pertronics ignitor conversion (eliminates points) and found the gap was critical. I bought a rebuilt distributor ($48.00) and installed it with the ignitor and it ran perfect. The old distributor shaft was very sloppy and wouldn't hold a setting.

Could it have jumped timing? Check it


Another thing, disconnect the (+) on the coil and run a jumper from the coil direct to the (+) on the battery. Crank it, if it starts you have a ballast/wireing problem, if not it a coil, dist. timing problem.

 

[nothingbutdarts]

Are there any members that might be close to you that might be able to come by and help you out?


COME ON GUYS!!!!

 

[Mcduster]

for you guys here in colorado I live in Brighton. I'm having the same type problem with my 73 duster. I'm debating on just changing the motor I have a 360 to put in it. I will try that last option running a jumper wire from the coil to the battery. I'm very close to paying someone who can come out and get my car running or figure out what the problem or problems are

 

[daredevil]

It could have skipped a tooth on the timing chain if it's got high miles.

damn great minds think alike. bring number one up on compression stroke and check rotor position

 

[Howard1784]

Always check for spark/ fuel first. One idea is the wiring on the bulkhead connector. They overheat and melt. Mine would never re start hot, but only after it cooled. Turns out it melted which is common. You can get a new bulkhead for like $75 and might as well replace the other connectors ($15 ea) while you are at; paying attention to the wiring and the backside of the connectors. While at it, put some new male/female spades as well.

 

[The Girl]

My guy who owns 3 darts himself is out of town for a few days but I will show him all these posts when he returns. I appreciate everyone replying--I am new at learning all this stuff and sometimes it is just OVERWHELMING! The people I work with think I am a genius for changing my own oil and brakes! ha! if they only knew!!

 

[dustermaniac]

If you stick around here you will become a genius in Mopar 101. This is THE place to learn many things and become wise to all that is the joy of Mopar ownership.8)8)8)8)

 

[OldVart]

Follow the troubleshooting steps you've been given here, and you'll learn, and be damned proud of yourself when you get your car to start. We all started off basically the same as you, and learned as we went. Good luck.

 

[GTGrinly]

I have a problem when the weather warms that causes a no start...my distributor cap gets condensation in it and the car won't start. Take the cap off wipe it out and away we go...

The timing chain issue has merit too...

Good Luck....

 

[MVRCorp]

I have a problem when the weather warms that causes a no start...my distributor cap gets condensation in it and the car won't start. Take the cap off wipe it out and away we go...

The timing chain issue has merit too...

Good Luck....

A shot of WD-40 will fix that.

 

[1wild&crazyguy]

pop the distributor cap off and coil wire, then have a friend try to start it and watch to see if the rotor turns....if not=timing chain and gears time.