I have a 69' Charger with a 383 and it will not for any reason start if it is less than 40 degrees. And if it gets above 40 but was less than that the night before it will not start either. I was once able to get it started by having a fully charged battery, then jumping the car at the same time to give it an extra jolt of juice. It has transistorised ignition, new high output coil, new plugs, hot plug wires, and aftermarket Edelbrock intake and carb. No hopped up cam or fancy valvetrain. I have tried to take some parts off and bring them into the house to get them warm, and then put them back on and start it. This did not help either. Any help on this frustrating matter is appreciated, seeing as this is my only means of transport, leaving me stranded at home.
2007-12-18 08:59:57 · 7 answers · asked by gangsters_life_4me 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Dodge
The car does crank when cold and it has a new Optima battery. The battery is fine. It cranks at the same speed cold as hot. I pump the gas in the way described and it will not start and the choke is closed. I have gone over all of these before and it simply will not fire. It cranks and cranks and cranks without even the slightest hint of ignition. I can pump the gas twice, then try it. Do it again, and it is flooded. I used to have a larger carb (750cfm now is 600cfm) on it and it did the same thing so I believe that it isn't carb related. I have been told that it cold be a large resistance in the ignition switch, but I don't think that is the case. Because at the ballast resistor there is full battery voltage. And if the problem is past there that is all of the new parts...what else could it be?
2007-12-18 14:24:49 · update #1
Thanks everyone for the great answers. I have solved the mystery and it was the new ECU that came with the transistorized ignition that was faulty. Thanks for the input!
2007-12-20 08:37:14 · update #2
Make sure you have 12 volts,or about, at the coil when you hit the starter. The ballast resister is suppose to runt he coil on a lower voltage when the engine is running. But you still have to have battery voltage when cranking. It sounds like you do not and in cold weather this will show up.
2007-12-19 05:59:36 · answer #1 · answered by Jackolantern 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming that the car cranks at the same speed as when it is warmer,we can rule out any battery/starter issues.
When starting,before you turn the key,pump the gas pedal twice.This will squirt fuel into the venturies and down the intake,as well as allow the choke to close and set the fast idle cam.Attempt to start the car by cranking no more than about 10 to 15 seconds.If it doesn't start,stop cranking and pump the gas pedal 2 more times and attempt to start again.If it still doesn't start you may have a choke problem.Remove the air cleaner lid and see if the metal flap at the opening of the carb is shut.If not then there is a problem.if it is,the culprit lies elsewhere.hope this helps,good luck
2007-12-18 11:33:21 · answer #2 · answered by hemiboy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm seeing the problem as either being your battery or your starter. Either your battery is going bad and you've got almost no cold cranking amps or your starter is dragging and requiring more amps from your battery. That is a very common problem if you have the gear reduction starter. First get your battery checked. If that checks good then I would replace the starter.
Edited to add: I think looking at the weight of your oil is a good idea. Also Have you had your coil checked? Sometimes those act funny in cold weather.
2007-12-18 11:07:01 · answer #3 · answered by soaplakegirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A COLD BIG BLOCK DODGE is the hardest thing to start.With my 69 Charger with a 440 and in my 69 Roadrunner with a 383 i had to run a lighter oil during the winter so the oil pressure would build up in the push rods to operate the valves and help relieve the compression stroke in turn helps the motor turn over easier.Or if you have solid lifters then you might not have enough oil on the rings to get enough compression to start the motor.If you don't want to change the oil weight.You could invest in a block heater that easily installs into your lower radiator hose.It keeps the block and oil warm so the oil will move and build up oil pressure quicker.Then all you have to do is plug it in every cold night,and as a plus your defroster works great first thing in the morning.
2007-12-18 17:12:12 · answer #4 · answered by moonshine212us 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Will it crank? If so my guess you have a choke issue if it runs and starts OK hot (my second guess here would be an improperly set spark advance)
If it will not crank I would look at battery cables first. I would tell you I did have a dead battery recently that had a bad cell and no amount of jumping would get it to start
2007-12-18 09:36:12 · answer #5 · answered by roadrunner426440 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You state you have the "fuel pump turned off", sounds like you have an electric fuel pump, if so do you have a regulator installed? If not install one, sounds like you are in a constant state of flooding the engine. The electric pump without a regulator is too much for the carb. A bored 318 with the Edelbrock and 600 does not need an electric fuel pump, just a good mechanical pump.
2016-05-24 22:42:20 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had a 74 charger with a 383 4 barrel. my problem (only twice) was the choke.
2007-12-18 21:09:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋