No crank no start

Tiny
SHANNON WITT
  • MEMBER
  • 1972 DODGE VAN
  • 5.9L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 61,000 MILES
1972 Dodge sportsman/rv
Ok so I had a crank no start issue to begin with. Orange spark but was able to arc across about a half inch gap.(New coil, points and condenser) And fuel to the carb (new carb and mechanical fuel pump only have about 200 miles on them
Figured ignition switch. Dash mounted so no big deal, just plug and go. Picked up a new one (used the original cylinder lock) swapped it out, tried to start her got a short half hearted crank and then nothing. All power gone. Don't even have headlights now. Although if I jump the starter relay she cranks but won't start.
Battery is at 12.5
Voltage at starter relay 12.5
Voltage at starter 12.5
And wire from starter relay to ignition switch 12.4
But no power anywhere else.

Ground from battery to block and battery to firewall are good
New starter relay
New battery cables and connectors
New ballast resistor
And new ignition switch.
Still no power.

Not sure how to test NSS but I know it's the original one. Last owner obviously hacked up some of the electrical. And bulkhead connectors aren't in the greatest shape (had to bypass the fusible link from the battery that goes to the amp gauge about 2 yrs ago)
Up until this never had any problem other than when the fusible link went.
Thursday, December 26th, 2019 AT 6:26 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Hi,

Because of the model year, I won't have schematics, so we are going to have to work through this one step at a time. Also, did you try reinstalling the old switch?

Does anything work? I know you said no to the head lamps and the starter, but when you turn the key to the run position, are there any lights on the dash, does the blower motor work for the heater, do the wipers work, anything at all?

Let me know. Also, let me know if it is a B200 or B300 chassis.

Joe
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Thursday, December 26th, 2019 AT 7:04 PM
Tiny
DNEWHOUSE1990
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hey Joe, i'm having the exact same problem with my 1972 Dodge Sportsman. It has a 360 in it, and I changed the ignition switch, same thing. No power to anything at all. Changed it back to the old switch after changing battery cables and everything. I'm wondering if I have bad wiring or something, because i'm not even getting power to the ignition switch itself. If I arc the starter solenoid, it cranks, but no start. It ran just fine about 5 months ago when I parked it. How would I find out what chassis it is? Any help is greatly appreciated.
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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 11:09 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Hi,

Are you not getting power to the ignition switch itself? Have you checked fuses? On this year, I believe they are all under the dash. If you have checked them, did you conform there is power to them? Also, the main wiring harness that attaches at the firewall can be corroded or loose. Have you checked that?

Let me know.
Joe
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Sunday, September 20th, 2020 AT 5:19 PM

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