NO juice update, any suggestions?

[1972Dart]

Ok I just shot the wires. I have continuity from the battery, in and out of the kill switch, and also both in and out of the starter. Then out of the starter the large wire goes to a little silver box on the inner fender well. (relay switch)? That little box has 4 posts. The large post to the rear has the starter wire hooked to it, middle post has a small ground wire, and the 2 small posts to the front (one is above the other) is the PROBLEM! I have continuity at the large post that comes from the starter but NOT to the front 2 wires. Bottom wire is yellow smaller diameter about 18ga and the top one is brown and yellow wire about 14ga. They both go to the black box on the firewall one goes to the 1st series from drivers side 2nd down from top. The other goes to the 2nd row from drivers side 2nd down from top. Another words they are side by side.
I'll continue in a sec

 

[1972Dart]

I disconnected the wires, made a 2 jump wires and stuck them to the hot side that comes out of the starter on the little silver box and presto it clicks and I have lights but won't start. I kept clicking it and then tried to start it and it turned over but didn't start. I tried to turn it again and no juice. I went back up clicked the wires and had headlights again etc. but now I can't get it to try to turn again. What is this little silver box as I call it shamefully. Is this my ignition relay or what and any suggestions on fixing this. Thanks for the info so far. I'm on to something I just don't know what?
Adam

 

[1972Dart]

I replaced the starter relay (the little silver box) and that didn't do it. So this weekend I plan on messing with the starter, knock on the solinoid a bit and see if I get anything and then perhaps change the starter out. She'll run eventually!

 

[Scampin]

Is your ignition switch sending the "start" signal to the starter relay?
If your car is an automatic are you sure the neutral saftey switch is in good condition and is working properly?

 

[GO DART]

could it be that ceramic block on the firewall?

 

[JLP]

It could be the ballast resistor (the ceramic thing on the fire wall). have you tried to jump start it a the starter relay and see if the starter runs?

 

[fishy68]

Adam I don't think messing with the starter is going to help because what your describing sounds like your just not getting any power inside the car. You need check voltage to see if your getting 12 volts to the ignition switch. Don't waste time trying to do continuity tests. You can have continuity check ok then when you apply power to it it can fail because it may not be able to carry the power so to say.

First thing I'd check is to disconnect the bulkhead connector (the black multi-pole connector on the firewall with the bazillion wires) and check for corrosion. This has been a problem with many cars. A corroded connection there can cause your problem. Could also be a bad connection at the fusebox.

What kind of car are you working on? I may have a schematic I could e-mail you.

 

[1972Dart]

First of all let me say thanX to all of you that took the time to get me in the right areas to troubleshoot this problem! I'm not real fond of wires in the first place and don't have much experience with car wiring, so getting me in the right direction without spending lots of money and wasted time was what I needed. I did replace the starter relay ($12 from Advance) but that didn't do it, but was easy and cheap so no biggy. I thought I'd wait till this weekend to try to figure it out, but after getting a couple suggestions and good descriptions of what to look at, I disconnected my bulkhead connector and all kinds of corrosion was on it (green/white you name it). Cleaned it all up and PRESTO :rock: The old Dart decided she sat too long and fired right over!!! Must admit firing over the 360 straight out the headers without the pipes on yet at 10:00 at night probably didn't make the neighborhood happy, but damn I've been smiling ever since. Thanks again, just hope I can return the favor and be of some help someday to anyone here.
Adam