HELP!!!!battery starting problem

[72charger89]

ok i have a 72 dodge charger 318.......recently replaced the voltage regulator because i had a charging problem my alternator is good and i replaced the starter relay....ok this is where it gets tricky.....when i connect the battery my car tries to turn over...with no key in the ignition!!!im really slow with electronics...what seems to be the problem any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

[mopar_nut_440_6]

It sounds like the small wire on the starter relay is making contact with the large battery cable stud on the relay. What this will do is engage the relay when you attach the battery cable rather than use the ignition feed to engage the starter relay.

When you turn the ignition to start; current is fed from the ignition to the starter relay through the smaller wire, this energizes a coil in the relay which pulls a contact plate inside the relay. This plate connects the large stud/wire from the battery with the large wire/stud going to your starter which causes your engine to crank.

[1969chargerrtse]

So if it didn't do this before you installed the new sarter relay, either it's N/G or you have the small wire touching the big battery wire.

[GN]

Also, you might want to replace the battery cables. My 74 318 is having stater relay trouble and the cables are corroded bad enough to cause a heavy amp draw when starting.

[Topher]

Sounds like good advice so far. KUDOS on disconnecting the battery before performing the repair. 

[Nacho-RT74]

the yellow wire at starter relay is getting power somehow OR starter relay itself is internally shorted, inner points stuck or kinda off.

[mopar_nut_440_6]

the yellow wire at starter relay is getting power somehow OR starter relay itself is internally shorted, inner points stuck or kinda off.

Aww yes. If the battery was low then the low voltage would cause heat build up which could weld the contacts together. You shoudl always make sure the battery is fully charged when you change parts after having a charging problem.

Thanks Nacho

[Nacho-RT74]

  mmm I never have had something like that with low batt

[mopar_nut_440_6]

mmm I never have had something like that with low batt

I used to work in an electrical shop rebuilding starters, alternators and generators. It is quite common for solenoids on starters to stick (especially the heavy duty ones found on equipment) with low batteries. Once this happens the starter will keep turning until you remove the battery cable, turn off the night switch or the aramture get s so hot it tosses bars and the starter fails. This also occurs on Sp switches which are switches used to take 2-12 volt sets of batteries and convert them to a 24 volt feed for 24 volt starters.

I would assume that if the contacts are stuck in the relay it would be due to low voltage or possibly a poor starter relay but I personally have never seen this.

[Nacho-RT74]

interesting

[72charger89]

Thanx guys for your help it was the battery cable touching the starter cable!!!I would have never figured that out thanx!!!

[GN]

Where at? did the cable have a brake in it and let the wires touch?

[Nacho-RT74]

I think he says directly to the starter motor, making contact with solenoid stud