I have a 1973 dodge d100. its got the 360 with the 727auto. the other day it was running fine and when i turned it off it didn't start back, i ended up replacing the coil, ballast, ecu, and voltage regulator before figuring out that it was just the reluctor's gap was just too large. now it starts and runs but its not charging. i took the alternator off and had it tested. it was good. the wires are good and haven't been messed with and it was running and charging before this happened. so the wires are good but i double checked connections and fuses. i also looked at chilton's manual for fusible links. it shows no fusible links on the 73 model. but it does on the 74. so i don't think its one of those. please please help. the only other thing i can think of is the starter relay. help please its sitting in someones driveway that i dont know.

 

It may be the starter relay.

 

Now would that cause a no charge issue? The ECU I got was used but it runs with it. Could that cause a no charge issue as well?

 

Seeing as you replaced the voltage regulator I would begin there. I assume it was charging fine before. Do you still have the old regulator? If so try swapping back to that. Make sure it is well grounded, and the connection is tight.

 

That could be the reason.

 

Well i had to get a chrysler alternator. some idiot put a GM alternator on it. if it was the one wire i wouldn't mind but it wasnt. so the voltage regulator is new. but i know the guys at the local O'Reilly's and they gave me a new one for free. just swapped out the old one. now i noticed a ground wire that goes to the back left bolt on the exhaust manifold to a bolt on the voltage reg. its connected but i have not checked its connection. i bought a brand new alternator today just to rule out that. still nothing. im getting power through the voltage guage. but it still dies as soon as you pull the hot cable off the battery. it did start its little charging problem about ten minutes before it wouldn't start due to said problem above. i know the charging system is really simple. two fields and a main. so i guess its gotta be in the fields. i know one wire goes to the green on the voltage and the other goes to the blue and ballast(not sure if i got the colors right but it IS hooked up right.) i wired it according to the diagram just can't remember cuz its about fifteen miles away right now. It was charging perfect now it just crapped out about ten minutes before it decided not to start.

 

Had the ECU tested yesterday. Its Good. Bought a new starter relay. Still nothing. So I really need help.

 

Could be a bad ground on the regulator. An exhaust bolt is a terrible thing to use as a ground due to the large amount of rust buildup. Is the alternator new and are you sure it is working? Is the ground on the alternator itself OK? I am not sure which alternator you have but there may be a wire (not the green one) on the alternator that is only hot when the ignition is on as it is fed from the switch. I might remove the alternator and have it stand tested at the parts store to eliminate it as the problem. Try this: With the ignition switch off disconnect the voltage regulator plug. Turn the ignition on and check for battery voltage at the wiring harness plug. Both green and blue leads should have battery voltage. If you have no voltage at the blue wire the ignition ballast resistor or its wiring is suspect. If you have no voltage at the green wire check for voltage at the alternator where the green wire connects. If the alternator is good and grounds are good and you have voltage at both green and blue wires the book says replace the regulator. Good luck.

 

I will check that as soon as it stops raining. any other ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

well i checked the voltage with it unplugged. i got about 3.5 volts at both of them. with it plugged it i got 3.5 at the blue lead to the alt. at the green i got almost 1 volt. whats this mean? Another symptom it developed from this no charging issue is that it used to actually start before you let off the starter. Now it waits till after you let off then it'll fire. Don't know if its relevant.