Ignition Help

[Matthan]

 I have a 1969 Dodge Charger and I am having trouble with the ignition. I can't start it with the key. But I can cut it off with the key.  I have using a screwdriver on the alternator to start the Charger. But when I want to cut it off I simply turn the key in the ignition.

Any Help?

[elacruze]

Mattan,

I'm sure you mean 'starter relay' not 'alternator'?

On your starter relay, on the firewall, you should have a yellow wire running to one terminal. When you apply 12 volts to this terminal, the relay should power the starter. This is a separate circuit from the ignition which explains why your key stops the engine but will not crank it.
You can test your relay by jumping between the large terminal and the lower left terminal.

[Matthan]

Does any body have any pics that they can share of this?

[Chryco Psycho]

if you can short the 2 larger bolts on the relay & it starts then either the relay is bad , the neutral safety is no grounding or the ign switch is bad , you should have power to the brown wire in the start position if you do the ign is good , then test the yellow wire at the relay , it should also have power in the start position , you can test the relay by jumping power from the battery terminal on the relay to the spade terminal the yellow wire is attached to , if that works then there must be a problem with the ground at the neutral safety switch .

[elacruze]

Here's a photo of the start relay.



Battery + is the large post on top.
Starter + is the clamp terminal on the right.
Ignition switch + is the spade terminal on lower left.
Neutral safety switch ground is the spade on lower right.

The yellow line shows how to jump, across the battery and starter terminals. If that cranks, then check for power in to the Ign + post during both the start and run positions of ignition switch. If yes, then use a jumper to ground the NSS post. Please be sure to have the car in neutral and use the key from inside the car to avoid unintended movement.
If you have a manual transmission, the NSS post will be soldered to the relay case, and you have to be sure the case is well grounded to the firewall.

[W4ATL]

You can also try tapping the relay gently with something to see if it will "unstick". It may crank after you tap it!