Hi,

I've been having some problems to start my Slant when cold... I turned the switch and it cranks, but does not start... A friend of mine advised me to connect a cable from the positive of the battery directly to the positive of the ignition coil; when I do it, it starts instantly with a lot of power.

Can anyone tell me why is that?, should I replace only the coil and the problem will be fixed, or is it any other stuff involved?

Thanks,

Ed.

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My other car is... another DUSTER!!! .·.

Well, among other things, you are bypassing the ballast resistor which is a common problem. Simple check with an ohmeter. It's on your firewall, may have two elements, one for start, one for run, or if an older version just one resistor.

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63 Valiant 200 Signet Convertible 170/
63 Dart, 225/
68 A100 Pick-up 225/
2006 Mitsu Raider Quad Cab (Dakota) Mopar 4.7L
1992 Dodge Stealth RT (My Mid-Lifer) 3.0L 24V

Balast resistor (first thing), Starter relay (could be getting worn out), fusable link? , bad wire?

Coil is not bad or jumper wire would not help anything. This should be a cheap fix once you find the problem.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

Thanks guys, I will check both things... the ballast resistor is always extremely, but I really mean EXTREMELY hot all the time... I don't think that is normal. I am not a mechanic and my experience is scarce, but you can bake some tacos on that thing , I don't think that is right.

Ed.

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My other car is... another DUSTER!!! .·.

hey ed! long time no read!

it's pretty usual than the ballast would get hot, it's the way of producing resitence to electricity, some of the electricity that's passing thru gets disipated as heat... but if you can bake tacos on the thing, maybe it's bad.

I'd look for A) bad ballast resistor B) rusty connectors and bad wires and C) inspect carefully if none of the (+) carriers from the alternator/colt regulator is shorting. I melted down all my wiring cux the stupid stupid radiator guy pinched my ignition (+) cable from the volt regulator with the rad. It kinda took many days to melt all so badly that she died, but the symptoms were very similar to yours...

While you're at it, bake me some tacos! I'll bring the guacamole.

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

Yes, it should be hot, but I've never tried cooking anything on it.

The key to your problem is that a jumper wire fixes it, that means the coil isn't getting enough current during starting for some reason. I guess it is possible that the coil is getting weak.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

Ok guys, thanks, I think I will check the wiring and replace anyways the coil and the ballast resistor. I'll let you know if the problem was fixed.

Another thing that happens very often is that the solenoid of the starter motor fails... instead of cranking you hear a "clack" sound and it doesn't turn. Then I have to push by hand the small piston thing on the solenoid and try again until it turns. I've replaced the solenoind three times already and keeps doing the same after a short period of time working ok. Should I replace the whole thing including the starter motor?

Ed.

PS, Hey Ché, thanks for noticing my absence, it's a long story... Instead of bringing the guacamole bring some chimichurri, now that is delicious , en serio, gracias hermano...

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My other car is... another DUSTER!!! .·.

Ever changed it? Could be the root of more than one problem.



This thing controls power to the starter solenoid and also supplys current to bypass the balast resistor during starting. Seems to be a possible common link between the 2 problems. Might be worth $11.88 to know you are packing a brand new one. Might not fix anything, I'm not really an expert .

I just installed a new ECU in the truck today, seems to have resolved the mid throttle miss that has been getting worse and worse. I won't know until tomorrow when the engine is nice and cold. Electrical problems are the worst because you can't return parts if they arn't needed. Guess it doens't hurt to have a spare when you own 3 slant six powered cars/truck.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six