New Member, need some help. Good battery, no start, no power.

[carcus]

I have a 1972 Duster 340 retired former Colorado bracket racer. Wiring harness was removed and when I got it had a new Painless harness installed with new Pro Comp gauges. It has a built 340 not sure what gears, 4 speed manual. Battery was relocated to trunk and had a track battery shut off switch from former bracket racing. When I got the car rewired still had the battery shut off switch that I took the pull switch off so people on the street could not disconnect the battery. It was in the on positon, still is. Car ran fine after wiring. One day starting it, turned over fine, new battery, but all power went off. Went to trunk and the one who did the install put the breaker box in. It tripped, I reset it, then turned it over again...then went dead. Removed battery had tested. Battery is perfect. Now, still no crank, lights, power. Enclosed are a few pics of the car and trunk situation.

 

[Yunick13]

Different battery cables would be a good start. Those bolt together cable ends are trouble.

 

[carcus]

Yes, I know has a Dodge Demon front hood and grill on it. I got it in this condition. I have an original Shark Tooth grill but just waiting to get the quarter panel rust repaired on the lowers. The car is mini tubbed and has 325 MT ET on the rear. There is no data plate on the fender but original H code 340 on the door tag. Not much more I know about it but has a Holly 4779-2-1569, and Edelbrock LD4B intake.

 

[carcus]

Different battery cables would be a good start. Those bolt together cable ends are trouble.

I was thinking that also. Really want to delete the emergency battery shut off and the trip they installed. From what I know, it has roller rockers not sure what cam is in it. Not even sure what gears are in it. I just want it to start again. If I can't figure it out tomorrow have to get it towed for work. I removed all the fuses from the new Painless Wiring fuse box, all are good. Checked grounds. All connections seem to be tight. I think that crummy fuse trip box might be the issue. Too much going on in the trunk.

 

[carcus]

Also, trying to find a mechanic that actually works on a non OBD or carbed car out here is almost impossible. Nobody knows how to work on cars without a computer diagnostic. anymore. I am am 50 year old retired vet, no stranger to working on old cars but not much experience with electronics. I like the car as is, fun to drive and reminds me of being young again. Has a manual choke carb hoping to get EFI in the future once I get this no start issue fixed. Might leave the Demon grill on, not sure the original Shark Tooth grill will fit with the fender extentions and the Dodge hood. Headlight mounts look different and bezels.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Welcome neighbor, (Fort Collins)

Some trouble shooting would be to check all sides of the cir breaker, and cut off switch for voltage to ground. And report back.

Any reason not to move the battery back to the eng compartment?

 

[Frank Mopar]

Start at the battery checking for power and move forward. Has to be losing voltage somewhere.

Not that it will fix your problem but its going to help immensely. Buy a Power Probe III. Its the best tool you can have for electrical issues.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Also, trying to find a mechanic that actually works on a non OBD or carbed car out here is almost impossible. Nobody knows how to work on cars without a computer diagnostic. anymore. I am am 50 year old retired vet, no stranger to working on old cars but not much experience with electronics. I like the car as is, fun to drive and reminds me of being young again. Has a manual choke carb hoping to get EFI in the future once I get this no start issue fixed. Might leave the Demon grill on, not sure the original Shark Tooth grill will fit with the fender extentions and the Dodge hood. Headlight mounts look different and bezels.

Im trying to get out of obd/efi vehicles, i actually discount my shop rate for classics and street rods. Would rather do old school than work on the new junk.

a test light and a load tester are what i would use to solve this problem.

 

[oldkimmer]

Also, trying to find a mechanic that actually works on a non OBD or carbed car out here is almost impossible. Nobody knows how to work on cars without a computer diagnostic. anymore. I am am 50 year old retired vet, no stranger to working on old cars but not much experience with electronics. I like the car as is, fun to drive and reminds me of being young again. Has a manual choke carb hoping to get EFI in the future once I get this no start issue fixed. Might leave the Demon grill on, not sure the original Shark Tooth grill will fit with the fender extentions and the Dodge hood. Headlight mounts look different and bezels.

U will have to change the whole front end from the doors forward, every last piece. Kim

 

[Biff]

The negative terminal On the battery does look suspect remove the temporary negative terminal and replace with a soldered on one start there .

 

[cudamark]

Use some jumper cables to bypass some of the suspect wiring. That might isolate where the problem is. I assume you've already removed and cleaned all the battery connections, right?

 

[carcus]

Thanks for all your help guys. All connections and terminals were clean. Had it towed today to the ones who installed the new wiring harness. I am going to tell them to put new terminals on, remove the battery cut off switch, and remove the breaker. I just want the system simple. It has to be a ground. Going to leave the Demon grill on and live with it. I kinda like it. Will fill you in when I hear more from the mechanic. Thanks for the great welcome on the board and assistance. I am sure I will need more help from you all in the future.

 

[carcus]

Throwing in a new Accel 8140 Super Stock coil as well. Has an old MSD ignition, not sure if that can be causing the problem. I do not think they have a fuse besides the ignition box.

 

[carcus]

U will have to change the whole front end from the doors forward, every last piece. Kim

I know the Dodge hood is longer and requires the extentions for the fenders, but thought the fenders were the same for a 1972 A Body. Thought the grill would be easily swapped out. Headlight mounts might be the issue and headlight trim. I am by no means an expert.

 

[oldkimmer]

U have to change it all. The wheel opening in the fenders are different also. Kim