Cuda won't start

[cudaman496]

On my 72 Cuda, I turn the key to start, and nothing happens. Starter Relay has 12V to it from the battery. Was thinking might be the Neutral Safety Switch, which I removed,
but can't get a new one on there due to clearances. Can I just ground the wire coming off the starter relay, which goes to the NSS,
so the engine will start. Can I leave that wire connected to ground? The connection on the starter relay that gets the 12v ignition start signal
is also getting 12 volts. thanks Or maybe I just need a new starter relay? thanks

 

[Challenger RTA]

Yes as a test and temporary measure.

 

[Katfish]

Yep, you can permanently ground the NSS wire.
Just be careful, engine will turn over in any gear.
Accidently left mine in drive, when I hit the key, it started and moved forward, luckily nothing in front.

 

[tonysrt]

First and easiest is "clean" the battery terminals. Then jump the starter relay to see if everything else is good. With our not daily drivers, terminals seem to be biggest problem. I learned that first hand a while ago. To jump relay take a screwdriver and touch big screw and little screw just below it. I see your fairly new here so that is why I said those things.

 

[toolmanmike]

Yep, you can permanently ground the NSS wire.
Just be careful, engine will turn over in any gear.
Accidently left mine in drive, when I hit the key, it started and moved forward, luckily nothing in front.

That can happen. A friend ran his Super Bee through the back side of the garage. Bypassed NSS.

 

[cudaman496]

First and easiest is "clean" the battery terminals. Then jump the starter relay to see if everything else is good. With our not daily drivers, terminals seem to be biggest problem. I learned that first hand a while ago. To jump relay take a screwdriver and touch big screw and little screw just below it. I see your fairly new here so that is why I said those things.

thanks!

 

[cudaman496]

That can happen. A friend ran his Super Bee through the back side of the garage. Bypassed NSS.

thanks

 

[cudaman496]

Yep, you can permanently ground the NSS wire.
Just be careful, engine will turn over in any gear.
Accidently left mine in drive, when I hit the key, it started and moved forward, luckily nothing in front.

thanks

 

[tonysrt]

I did away with the clutch switch years ago. 71 Cuda 5 speed, when I park I always make sure in neutral and apply parking brake. I don't like the idea of pressing on clutch pedal and adding stress to the thrust bearing when starting engine.

 

[cudaman496]

Yep, you can permanently ground the NSS wire.
Just be careful, engine will turn over in any gear.
Accidently left mine in drive, when I hit the key, it started and moved forward, luckily nothing in front.

OK, the two wires going to the NSS are disconnected. I did the screwdriver thing between the two terminals on the starter relay and the starter kicked. I grounded the starter relay from the ground tab on the relay to a ground. I turned the Key, actually I rigged up a start button in place of the key, and the starter does not kick over. I'm assuming there is something wrong with the starter relay. The two wires disconnected to the NSS are just hanging there now, and not connected anywhere. Guess the next step is to replace the starter relay? PS I checked my starter button on both terminals, and each one has 12v, when the button is pushedd.

 

[cudaman496]

OK, the two wires going to the NSS are disconnected. I did the screwdriver thing between the two terminals on the starter relay and the starter kicked. I grounded the starter relay from the ground tab on the relay to a ground. I turned the Key, actually I rigged up a start button in place of the key, and the starter does not kick over. I'm assuming there is something wrong with the starter relay. The two wires disconnected to the NSS are just hanging there now, and not connected anywhere. Guess the next step is to replace the starter relay? PS I checked my starter button on both terminals, and each one has 12v, when the button is pushedd.

OK guys, problem solved. From the push start button to the starter relay, was a loose wire, that looked connected,
but wasn't. Also, I bypassed the NSS, and grounded the starter relay. Thanks for all your help!

 

[Katfish]

If you're worried, add a toggle switch on the ground side, and put it under the dash.
Will act as a reminder, and also act as simple theft protection.
Car won't start unless you flip the switch to ground side.
Once started, you can flip it back, no harm when engine is running.