Dodge D200 318 V8 Manual - Attempts to Start Automatically

Ferdy · Post by **Ferdy** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 4:29 pm

I began a previous post in the General Tech Section regarding a starter issue on my 70 D-200 V8 Manual. The relay seemed disfunctional, so I changed that out. The starter is also new. The relay had an extra prong on it, and when I questioned the parts dealer, he said it shouldn't matter. When I reconnected the wires, and proceeded to reconnect the positive cable, the starter engaged and the truck tried to start on its own. We rechecked the wire configuration, and it was correct, but the same problem occured. We were then told that the problem was the Ignition Switch - it was stuck closed - a possibility, and the original was still installed. So, I changed that too. (It's a good thing these parts are cheap!) We then reconnected the positive, and it tried to start again! I called the parts guy, and he was baffled. Then, I asked him to recheck for the correct relay part - maybe I got the wrong one - and sure enough, the gave me the relay for the automatic, and not the manual.

Is this the problem? Or, is my Solenoid on the Starter stuck? Does it matter which relay for the 70 D200 318 (that is automatic or manual?)

Ferdy

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 7:28 pm

I can't imagine them being different. Are you SURE you have it wired correctly so that you have to turn the switch to send power to the starter?

Ferdy · Post by **Ferdy** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 7:41 pm

The two relays are slightly different - the automatic having an extra G terminal.

My box has only three terminals and we did wire this new one correctly - again, the truck wants to start as soon as we reconnect the Positive cable.

It just seems that either the selenoid is stuck, or the relay, or, the incorrect relay was the issue. I may just put the old starter back in if its the solenoid.

Ferdy

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:31 pm

If you still have the old starter then I'd try that. Toss that in there since it doesn't take all that long and see if that makes a difference. Realys being so simple it is harder to believe that it would be defective.

Let us know how it turns out.

Jeffc · Post by **Jeffc** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 9:01 pm

The auto relay has the extra post so it can be
grounded at the trans when in P and/or N; or
you can just ground the extra post and it will work
just like the manule trans one.

The fact here is that the starter is working on
it's own, with a auto trans relay that is not
hooked to the trans or grounded,>>> would say that it is a starter problem, or you have a wire too close on the
relay post and it is jumping one post to the other.

Swap in the old starter if you have it, or have the
new one tested to be sure it works right.....
also make sure nothing is crossed at the relay posts.

Ferdy · Post by **Ferdy** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:38 am

Jeff,

I am wondering if the problem is relay connections that are too close - we're going to insert a rubber shim between the battery terminal and the starter terminal - does that make sense?

If current is jumping between them, would that initiate and automatic start-up attempt?

Ferdy

Website · Post by **wideblock** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 12:04 pm

thats the way you bypass the relay for a manul start. you jump a screw driver across the 2 terminals on the starter. so if those are too close, they would have to be touching, then yes, youll get the auto start. i highly doubt they are touching, even a green mechanic knows not to do that. i am betting on a bad solenoid. just swap solenoids from the old to the new and see what happens. or test it first, disconnect the wire that goes from the relay to the starter and hook the cable back up to the battery. if it still trys to start, its in the starter. if not, its in the wireing or relay.