Electrical/starter problems
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New User
Joined: Oct 2003
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Electrical/starter problems
I've had my 71 302 for almost two months and have recently developed a few electrical problems. Hopefully someone can see a trend and point me in the right direction for a fix. Early on I had a dead battery. I replaced that and all seem fine. Next I had no power to anything. I was trying to start her and had no lights and no power to the starter. I wiggled the key in the ignition and she started. I've had the starter hang on my a couple of times and a couple of other times when I turned the key off, the engine kept running. To get it to stop I turned the key clockwise enough to engage the starter (and make that awful grinding noise) and then it would turn off. A couple of days ago I jumped in to start her and no power again. I wiggled the key a few times and she started, but when I turned the lights on they were very dim and then they started to pulse. Almost like they were hooked to the blinkers. Sorry for the length. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be? Is it one thing or multiple problems? Thanks for you help. I hope to see you on the trails soon.
d9h
d9h
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 84
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Two places to start looking, first check the starter solenoid, simply chase the pos. cable from the battery to the little round box on the fire wall. Make sure all the terminals on here are clean, and the fitting are on tight. Next would be your ignition switch, these are pretty typical to go out, but with the light dimming issue, sounds like you may not be getting juice back from the battery, so check the soleniod first. One more thing, check to make sure your ground cable is making good contact with the block, remove any paint or corrosion at the point of contact on the block, use a small wire brush or something. With new engines, people usually like new paint, just take it off in this area.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 126
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From: Alaska
Sounds like the switch is bad, if it wouldn't shut off makes me think switch and the problem starting sounds like switch too, but it is a good idea to look at the starter solenoid too. Check to see if it has been hot or if it smells like its been hot. (poor connection)
Also while your in there check the battery voltage while it's running just to make sure your alternator is charging correctly.
Hope this helps.
Also while your in there check the battery voltage while it's running just to make sure your alternator is charging correctly.
Hope this helps.
