Wire in dash not allowing for car to start

[1974DartSport]

About a month ago I took the cluster out of the dash of my 1974 Dart Sport to fix the amp gauge which had started smoking (typical issue on those gauges glad it didn't start a fire). After fixing this issue I put all the gauges and cluster back into the dash and now the car will not start. It did run and start before I took the dash apart. I had also noticed that the turn signals were starting to become weak, but this might be a completely different problem.

Currently all the lights and gauges do turn on and move (including the amp gauge). I also have touched the starter's terminals with a screwdriver to make sure there isn't anything wrong with the starter (it did turn over). I am somehow losing power from the ignition to the starter. I am thinking it is a wire near the cluster or the steering column that is not right and is preventing the car from turning over.

Any suggestions on which wire is the problem and how to test it?

 

[67Dart273]

You have a shop manual for a 74?

Start by reading this:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

You probably blew up a fuse link, and or have a bad connection in the bulkhead connector

"Letting out the smoke" is never good, as the cheap plastic insulation can melt wires together in the harness. Sometimes, you have to strip the harness out, lay it out, and strip the wrapping and inspect and or repair

 

[Woods74]

You have a shop manual for a 74?

Start by reading this:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

You probably blew up a fuse link, and or have a bad connection in the bulkhead connector

"Letting out the smoke" is never good, as the cheap plastic insulation can melt wires together in the harness. Sometimes, you have to strip the harness out, lay it out, and strip the wrapping and inspect and or repair

Agreed, just went through this, if your engine bay smells like horse manure then it's a fusable link down by the relay. The yellow and/or yellow brown wire is the starter trigger.

Another thing to check is the ignition interlock 'computer' which is the white box right next to the fuse box behind the dash, with two strips of wires going into it. Check for power coming in and going out of the big yellow and yellow brown wires right next to each other. If it doesn't it might pay to take it apart real quick and see if you fried anything.


Here, have a diagram.

http://www.mymopar.com/72to76_wiring.htm

 

[805moparkid]

if its a column shift push the shifter up while in park and see if its just out of adjustment. my 73 needs the handle to be lifted about 1/16" before it thinks it in park

 

[1974DartSport]

Success! PoisonDart74 figured it out.

The circuit board "computer" was the issue. I found that the board was fried on the brown wire. I lucked out and had a second one laying around at the house from a second wiring harness I bought a few years ago.

I am back on the road! Thanks again for all the help.

 

[67Dart273]

Success! PoisonDart74 figured it out.

The circuit board "computer" was the issue. I found that the board was fried on the brown wire. I lucked out and had a second one laying around at the house from a second wiring harness I bought a few years ago.

I am back on the road! Thanks again for all the help.

You talking about the seat belt interlock? Do yourself a favor and fix this for good. Look under the hood for a box about like a horn relay, except with a reset button. Should be two wires, yellow and yellow / tracer. Cut them and permanently splice 'em together

Here:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=14304

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?p=1969624169

 

[1974DartSport]

No it was not the seat belt interlock. I fix/disabled this awhile back. It was the plastic box located under the dash next to the fuse box. Inside this plastic box there is a circuit board. My original box was yellow and my new one from the other wiring harness is green.

Hope this helps