AndyK Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Hello, I am new here. I also just got a 1976 Apollo 2600 RB motorhome. I have a starting problem after a month of driving. Maybe you guys can help me out. As I was driving, going around a corner I felt the engine rpm slowing down and it stalled. I started it again and made I a few more feet before it died. I replaced the battery, checked all the connections, I have spark and gas. I was wondering if there is a starter relay or any other component that could have failed. Thank you very much in advance! AndyK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted March 27, 2020 30 minutes ago, AndyK said: Hello, I am new here. I also just got a 1976 Apollo 2600 RB motorhome. I have a starting problem after a month of driving. Maybe you guys can help me out. As I was driving, going around a corner I felt the engine rpm slowing down and it stalled. I started it again and made I a few more feet before it died. I replaced the battery, checked all the connections, I have spark and gas. I was wondering if there is a starter relay or any other component that could have failed. Thank you very much in advance! AndyK Welcome to the FMCA Forum! Andy, You offered the make and year of your coach could you post the chassis information the coach is built on? Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyK Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Hi and thank you for replying! It is a Dodge M500. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyK Report post Posted March 27, 2020 I hooked up an extra battery charger to the new battery, it cranks well but just doesn't want to come on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Have you checked for spark? How old is the gas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyK Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Yes, spark i have and gas. I drove it for 1 month now and just refueled the same day it died. Weird isn't it.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Brett, Looks like a Dodge 440 around 1976. cranks over fuel pressure? Fuel filter, Carburetor Float issues. What happens when some starter fluid is added? May have some dirt or rust in the tank. Looks like this stile carburetor. https://guaranteedcarburetors.com/X4-254_p_219.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyPbzBRDsARIsAFh15JZJKdHOpVuSQfwno_954WcSYXGfeXBM4mGvyfuKrl6arcrNzUZwH5waAoENEALw_wcB Also, allot of rubber deterioration. This information might still be available. If you haven't found the manual(s)that you are looking for, you might try www.autobooksbishko.com. These folks specialize in 1970s vintage manuals for Dodge motorhomes. If what you really want is intended to be used for repairing or maintaining the automotive portion of the RV, you need to ask them for a chassis manual. I have a 32' 1979 Holiday Rambler Imperial 5000 that is on a Dodge M-600 chassis. Power is supplied by the 440-3 engine with the gearing provided by the A-727 Loadflite automatic transmission. I purchased a chassis manual from them (about $60.00) and it is worth every penny I spent. The wiring diagrams alone are worth the price if you have to get into the automotive wiring. The one thing I haven't found anywhere, is a wiring diagram for the coach itself. Bishko's web-site has been redone, but it used to indicate that they also had some "Owner Manuals" that would possibly cover some of the third party components installed in the interior. If you would rather talk to someone instead of going to the web-site, the number is 1-800-544-3312. Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyK Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Thank you! I have fuel pressure and everything else. Enough fuel is getting into the carburator. I mean I have a spark and fuel and it cranks. Relay? Hidden shut off switch for something? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Been a really long time since I worked on the Chrysler 440, but I recall a problem with faulty ?ballast resistor? for the ignition system. Recall it being mounted on the firewall in many applications. Maybe that will spark (yes, pun) someone's memory. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Brett, I remember that ballast resistor but not much more. my 1976 Allegro on Dodge chassis had one. I got lucky, a wire broke at the terminal, repaired that alongside the highway.That was around 1984/5. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyK Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Nice. Where exactly is that thing located, do you remember? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted March 27, 2020 I do not recall exactly, follow the 12V hot wire coming on the coil backwards to the ballast resistor. This video may explain better than me. The function of the ballast resistor is fully-explained here: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-ballast-resistor To see what the resistor may look like, type in Dodge ballast resistor on a search engine the click on pictures in the header. They used several different designs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Andy, Can not remember where is was located, but this link should give you an idea of what you are looking for. https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/ballast-resistor/dodge/b300 However, the resister is in the ignition system and Andy said he has a spark' Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted March 27, 2020 IF you are stuck alongside the road you may temporarily get going again by bypassing the resistor. The result will be burned points and perhaps ruined condenser though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted March 27, 2020 A review of the issue and when it started. Filled up with fuel -was working fine. Turned a corner and the engine died. Then run for a short time. Mentioned having a spark. Fuel in the system? No answer as to if starting fluid sprayed into the carburetor. Will case the engine to fire . One does not need much - to much and ii can be a fire hazard. This is a case of a little goes a long ways. Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyK Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Yes, fuel in the system. It injects properly. I just checked the voltage on the coil and it shows 3 volts when ignition is on. My volt meter is probably of by a volt or two, but that's not enough. I am looking for the resistor right now and I think I found it. More to come. Thank you!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted March 27, 2020 When cranking, the ballast resistor is bypassed. The coil does get its power from/through the ballast resistor once the starter is not operating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyK Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Wolfe10, that means it sure is too low the voltage on the coil? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted March 27, 2020 This link shows the ignition system for a 1976 Dodge 440 with an ECM style system. Animated sequence and part layout https://www.google.com/search?q=1976+Dodge+440+ignition+coil&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjC1Oq-vrvoAhVIHd8KHXXJAIUQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=1976+Dodge+440+ignition+coil&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1DQuAFY0cgBYOPjAWgAcAB4AIABaIgBggOSAQMyLjKYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZw&sclient=img&ei=R2F-XoKVFMi6_Ab1koOoCA&rlz=1C1VFKB_enUS711US716#imgrc=fWwTgKee99w_rM Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyK Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Awesome thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Does anyone remember if the 1976 440 have an iginition module in the distributor? Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted March 27, 2020 2 minutes ago, AndyK said: Awesome thank you! To little spark could point to a failed ignition coil or just a bad connection. The high voltage required for a good spark will knock one on the ground. One can test them by connecting a positive voltage to one of the coil studs clamp the coil,( Do Not advise holding it in your hand) use the center spark plug wire to cause a spark to ground, but insulate your self from the plug wire. Plastic handled tool taped to the ignition wire. Then have a helper tap the wire connected to the second terminal and you should get a very good sized ark between the plug wire and ground. WORK VERY Carefully, stand on dry ground with a good pair of rubber soled shoe's. This is not a game - it is an unforgettable experience if you are not well isolated ! Tried that when I was 12 years old. One was enough for me. Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted March 27, 2020 6 minutes ago, hermanmullins said: Does anyone remember if the 1976 440 have an iginition module in the distributor? Herman When an ECM system was used it was not required. The ECM was adjusting the Dwell. On the systems with points a vacuum advance system was used. Now, one has to remember that was many years ago. so regarding that issue, there is more dust between the ears gray matter! LOL Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyK Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Thank for the continued input, I really appreciate it!! I changed the resistor and still the same. I have a good spark from the coil, which totally confuses me. Carburator smells like gas when I crank a few times. Is it possible for the carburator to get too much gas? And I think (see pictures above) I have a regulator in the fuel line too. That maybe broken and supplies too much gas? But it would at least try to come on when I crank. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dickandlois Report post Posted March 27, 2020 Andy, at this point the engine could be flooded. Let it set for like 5 to 10 min. Then try again. What is the temperature where you are at the time? Regarding the resistor and the way the engine quit. Knowing how, kind of took the resistor out of the equation for me. Do You have any starter spray? A quick 2 shots and cranking the engine to see if if fires would eliminate a number of things. Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
