The Dodge Challenger Message Board

This may sound like a dumb question, but if the ballast resistor mounted on the firewall is bad, will it cause the engine not turn over. I have asked a couple local guys, one said he keeps a spare because when they go, the car will not turn over. The other guy says if the resistor goes, the car will turn over, but it will not start. Does that resistor have anything to do with the starter motor not working? Thanks guys !!

Nope has nothing to do with the starter motor. In fact it's bypassed during operation of the ignition switch to start. After the engine starts the current is switched through the ballast. Sounds like your problem is with either the starter motor itself or possibly the wiring, battery, ignition switch, ect,, but not the ballast.

Did you check the starter relay Dana??

Good call Wayne I wonder if Dana would be so kind as to inform us what exactly happens when he turns the key to the start,(CRANK) postion? Is there a 'clicking' sound? Is there NO sound at all? Has the car sat for a period of time? If so have you given the starter a good couple of whacks with a hammer? Then try and see what happens? Is the battery cables on tight? Is the battery fresh or charged up (around 13.5+ volts)? Have you tried to 'bypass' the relay?(This will let you know if the relay is the culprit)

I replaced the starter relay to no avail, however, if I jump across the relay, the starter works, so I know the starter is OK. I will look towards the ignition switch and wiring. Thanks

Daves favorite for this scenario is the bulkhead wiring, have you checked that area also.

I would pull the 8 wire connector under the steering column and see if the ignition switch wiring has 12 volts going to it,(The yellow wire), I believe, maybe Dave or someone else would know offhand for sure, but I think it's the yellow wire. If you get 12 volts then the wiring to the switch up to that point is OK. The only thing left would be the wiring to the switch from that point,(under column harness connector) ,to the switch or the switch itself.

RedRaven wrote:Daves favorite for this scenario is the bulkhead wiring, have you checked that area also.

I had a problem like that a few years ago, while I was at a car show some 600 kilometers from home. Left the car on the lawn for 4 or ( hours, and when I tried to start her up, NOTHING happened. Not the slightest relay clicking. Turned out it was one wire loose or corroded in the bulkhead wiring (and another one which was too close to the exhaust manifold was no longer insulated).

I just rummaged a bit through the wires and it worked.

RedRaven wrote:Daves favorite for this scenario is the bulkhead wiring, have you checked that area also.

Bloody hell Red. You are coming along in leaps and bounds.