wont start

[fryedaddy]

my 428 has not been wanting to start lately.i drove it last winter with no problems.now if i let it sit for more than 2 days,it dont want to crank.temps has been in the 35-50 range.i put new plugs in-no difference.i have msd box,dist,coil.once it finally cranks it runs like a top,starts like a champ until i let it sit for more than a day,then it wont crank.today i ran my batt down and it never started.i tried starting fluid one day and it finally started,but the next time even starting fluid diddnt help.  any ideas?

[mike7570]

Sounds fuel related.

[fryedaddy]

the plugs i took out were gas soaked.it seems to be easily flooded in cold weather.if it dont start right away,forget it,its not going to start even if you try till the battery goes dead

[dcm0123]

It sounds like there are 2 problems- does not crank and sometimes cranks but does not start.

Suggest you fix the easier one first- cranking.

If it does not crank, either you have an electrical problem or the engine is hydro locked which means a cylinder has filled with a fluid (antifreeze) which can not be compressed so the engine can not rotate.

Makes sure the battery is fully charges, all battery cables are clean and tight including on the starter and the ground to the block.

If it still will not crank, Bypass the ignition switch starter contact by jumping the battery positive to the small terminal on the solenoid closest to the one which has the battery power on it. Make sure it is in park or neutral before you do this.

If it still does not crank, use a set of jumper cables to connect the terminal on the starter to the positive  battery, bypass everything. If it still does not carnk, you probably have a bad solenoid or starter.

The solenoid has to be grounded to the fender through the mounting bracket otherwise it will not connect power to the starter when power is applied to the small terminal. Clean the bracket and fender if needed so you have a good ground.

If you hear a loud clunk from the starter when you try to crank it and the engine rotates slightly, it is probably hydro locked.

[fryedaddy]

my engine is turning over when i push the starter button.it rotates but it will not start.it fires for about a half second and then it just turns over with no sighs of wanting to run.sorry for the confusion.it turns over great,good starter in it.it just dont want to run

[Barry_R]

Try a coil.  Been there...

[shady]

Yep, I had a new Echlin coil that acted just like that. Drove me nuts. Can't be the coil, it's new, right? Wrong.

[BigBlueIron]

Does it kind of hit when you let off the key?

[fryedaddy]

Does it kind of hit when you let off the key?

no,it kind of hits at first then wont hit till i try it again, then it hits for a brief second again but will not crank.whats weird is if i manage to get it started,it runs like a top

[BattlestarGalactic]

Sounds electrical since the plugs get wet.

MSD distributor?   Get a new pickup coil.  Those typically just die, but maybe your's is weak?
Newer MSD box?  Does it have the LED light showing it's powered up?  Something else to look at.

[fryedaddy]

it was slow starting a couple years ago and i put a new disc cap and rotor on it and it improved.i have a new disc pickup coil.i was going to install it with a new cap and rotor to see if that would help.my son had some mice nests in his vans electrical system.i hope i dont have mice damage.

[allrightmike]

If you have a stock key switch the ignition contacts may be worn out.
Mike.

[fryedaddy]

If you have a stock key switch the ignition contacts may be worn out.
Mike.

that could be it.i have a push button start button but you have to turn the key on too.im sure my stock switch is worn because it wont turn the starter over.thats why i have a start button

[Heo]

Try to hotwire the coil from +

[fryedaddy]

now that i think about it,when i tried over and over to start it, it would try to fire when i turned the key off then back on,repeated after a while sometimes it started right up.that makes me think my switch is wore.