74 Dodge 600 starting issue

tractorguy2 · Jun 30, 2021

Trying to help a friend who is having an issue getting his 74 Dodge 600 truck to start. Pull it about five feet and will start right up. Try using the starter and it will not even try to start.

I think it's loosing spark when the ignition key is in the start position. I have ordered a new switch. Was wondering if there is anything I should be checking?

I know very little about how a 74 Dodge ignition system is wired. I see it has what looks like an ignition resister on the fender. Is there any kind of a bypass system for the resister wired through the starter?

Steve@Advance · Jun 30, 2021

You're waking up some long sleeping memory cells here!

Yes, if the resistor is a double sided resistor, 4 terminals, one side is for start, one side for run. Good chance replacing it will solve the starting problem.

For many years Dodge trucks across the line have had ignition switch problems. The terminals melt from high amp draw of the blower motor. If the switch terminals are melted, the harness plug will also be damaged. The harness terminals will have to be replaced or the problem dealt with. Not an easy challenge!

mudbudquad · Jun 30, 2021

Check ballast resistor on firewall, usually this is the culprit.

Cuznguido · Jun 30, 2021

You can make a simple jumper wire to bypass the resistor. Do that and if it starts, you found your problem.

TGP · Jun 30, 2021

(quoted from post at 20:53:30 06/30/21) Check ballast resistor on firewall, usually this is the culprit.

Bingo!

Tom

ss55 · Jun 30, 2021

How strong is the battery? The early Chrysler electronic ignitions would not fire a spark if the battery voltage dropped below a very high voltage of ten or eleven volts while cranking the engine. You might get a spark when pulling the truck, but not when cranking it with the starter.

Try another battery or jump starting it with a second battery connected in parallel.

Richard G. · Jul 1, 2021

Yep, use to do that with a screwdriver or even a pocket knife.

Russ from MN · Jul 1, 2021

Ballast resistor, I had one fail on a 73 Dodge!

4wdtom · Jul 1, 2021

Ballast resistor is bypassed for starting giving the coil full voltage for starting. A bad resister will allow the engine to start but when the key is moved to the run position the engine will shut off.

Carlmac 369 · Jul 1, 2021

(quoted from post at 21:36:34 06/30/21) Trying to help a friend who is having an issue getting his 74 Dodge 600 truck to start. Pull it about five feet and will start right up. Try using the starter and it will not even try to start.

I think it's loosing spark when the ignition key is in the start position. I have ordered a new switch. Was wondering if there is anything I should be checking?

I know very little about how a 74 Dodge ignition system is wired.[b:27145fd8f3] I see it has what looks like an ignition resister on the fender. Is there any kind of a bypass system for the resister wired through the starter?[/b:27145fd8f3]

That is exactly how it is wired. This is where the problem lies.

The resistor is a common failure in that system. Anyone who ever owned more than one old Mopar soon learned to carry an extra resistor in the vehicle at all times.

Replace the resistor and I'd bet a goodly sum your problem will be solved.

caterpillar guy · Jul 2, 2021

Pulling it and starting is not the resistor. It is more of a voltage problem to the coil from the battery. A resistor problem will start then stop when you let the key go. You have a problem of not getting the voltage to the ignition in the first place to start that is why it will start when pulled. Try Steve's advice about the switch and harness. Had many old chrysler products over the years. Mostly prior to electronic ignition days.

fixerupper · Jul 2, 2021

(quoted from post at 08:53:14 07/01/21)

(quoted from post at 21:36:34 06/30/21) Trying to help a friend who is having an issue getting his 74 Dodge 600 truck to start. Pull it about five feet and will start right up. Try using the starter and it will not even try to start.

I think it's loosing spark when the ignition key is in the start position. I have ordered a new switch. Was wondering if there is anything I should be checking?

I know very little about how a 74 Dodge ignition system is wired.[b:3143fb1363] I see it has what looks like an ignition resister on the fender. Is there any kind of a bypass system for the resister wired through the starter?[/b:3143fb1363]

Click to expand...

You meant to say keep an ignition module in the glove box. I am the proud (ehem) owner of a 79 Power Wagon with a 360. Bought it new. If any connection between the battery and the ignition or battery and starter is less than perfect it will have a hard time starting using the starter. A couple years ago I chased that problem till I was blue in the face. Finally found a loose nut on the input side of the coil. Sometimes it would catch and start when I let up on the key.

By the way this Dodge has 160000 miles on it. 160,000/7.5= 21333 gallons of gas has gone through it.

74 Dodge 600 starting issue

tractorguy2

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Steve@Advance

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mudbudquad

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Cuznguido

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TGP

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ss55

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Richard G.

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Russ from MN

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4wdtom

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Carlmac 369

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caterpillar guy

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fixerupper

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