Guest 1952NewYorkerconvertible Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I pulled my dad's 52 Chrysler New Yorker convertible out of the barn after 10 years plus, but we can't seem to figure out how to start it. It's a positive ground. Generator ampmeter, starter & starter solenoid are all new, as is the 6 volt battert. After all the right prep, we turn the key but nothing.Is there a hidden button? A switch maybe? The old 49 Packard had a button/swith under the gas pedal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambarn Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Put car in neutral, press gas to floor. If nothing then look for a dash starter button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 If it's been sitting that long the Pistons may be stuck to the cylinder walls. Take all the spark plugs out and try turning it over by hand first to see if that is the problem. If it is loose we can continue to help with things to try.Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I think it should have a starter button on the dash. I can't find a clear picture on the web of a dash. It should have a neutral safety switch as well. If that isn't working or has a wire off you could have a problem their. Do you have power to the gauges when you turn the ignition switch on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 If it's been sitting that long the Pistons may be stuck to the cylinder walls. Take all the spark plugs out and try turning it over by hand first to see if that is the problem. If it is loose we can continue to help with things to try.TerryIf it's been sitting that long you will beable to turn the motor some with little to no resistance as there isn't any compression built up yet. Be sure it's in Neutral when you try to turn it over so you aren't trying to turn over the whole drivetrain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Sounds like a bad switch or connection There is no starter button under the gas pedal on Chrysler cars of that era and I believe they eliminated the starter button but look on the dashboardto make sure. Make sure all of your connections (battery,generator, etc. are clean and tight, especially the grounds.Is it an automatic transmission? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1952NewYorkerconvertible Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 we did all the stuff to plugs & such, we have lights etc. and put in nuetral. no button on Das just ignition switch, 2 position.clutch in. nothing. gas pedal all the way down nothing. brake pedal and/or parking brake engaged still nothing???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1952NewYorkerconvertible Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 fluid hydromatic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 The ignition switch should have 3 positions to be a start and ignition switch. You should have off on and Start. 4 position if it has accy. With a 2 Position switch I would think there is a remote starter switch of some type. Does the switch spring back from a start to on position or does it just have the 2 solid positions, off and on? Also if the switch does have start, you might try wiggling (slowly) the gear shift lever around like you are trying to put it in gear just a little with the starter switch in the start position holding it in the start position. If it has some worn linkage or a tricky neutral switch you may find a spot where it will start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1952NewYorkerconvertible Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 it's only a 2 position switch and we cud not find a button or nothing hence my question hoping some Chrysler guy wud know. Thanks to all who offered a suggestion. I'll keep the question active in case there's that 1 Chrysler guy who knows. Otherwise 2moro we're goin to hook up an aux. switch and get it started so the 2 coming to look at can make their decision on buying it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Buick56Special Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Have you checked the brakes? If so and they're OK and you don't live on a busy street try pushing or pulling it down the road at 20-25 mph. It may start that way. Good luck.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Chrysler was the first car to have the starter on the ignition key. Turn the key to the right like any modern car, the starter should turn.If it does not, you will have to check the battery, wiring, starter relay, starter, and switch to find where the trouble is.I don't recall if they had a reverse lockout but I always used to start mine in neutral.Hope this answers your questions, any more trouble let us know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1952NewYorkerconvertible Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I didn't think I cud do that cause its a 2 speed fluid hydromatic not really a stick.I posted in the chrysler section to a guy I who has a 51 carb question. let's see if we get the response I need from there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldsfan Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 '52 Chryslers are key start. Ignition switch is 4 positions - accessory to the left, off (vertical), ignition on to the right, start to the far right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 DO NOT try to start on old gas. Disconnect the gas line and use a motorboat gas tank or similar. Old gas goes bad and can ruin your motor.I would take off the valve covers, oil the rockers and valves, and make sure all the valves are moving. Also remove the spark plugs and squirt some oil down the cylinders. Turn the engine by hand at least 2 full turns to be sure nothing is stuck. Then spin it on the starter.Check that the spark plugs are sparking. Put the valve covers back on and the plugs in and try to start it. If it starts, let it run at a fast idle for 15 minutes. Be sure the crankcase is full and also the radiator. Be careful this time of year, unless you have a heated garage, or use antifreeze, do not leave water in the cooling system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Ha ha I am the go to guy for Fluid Drive Chryslers and I don't recall them having a starter lockout. But, put the gearshift in neutral and you will be ok either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldsfan Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 http://www.imperialclub.com/~imperialclub/Yr/1952/52Owners/Page16.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1952NewYorkerconvertible Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 (edited) Thanks to everyone. We'll give it a go in the morning. Good Night to all. Edited January 17, 2015 by 1952NewYorkerconvertible error message said 1 letter short to reply (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c49er Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 The starter relay points (their inside of relay) on the drivers side fender could be corroded causing no cranking. It's a square 3"X3" box with the battery cables going to it. This relay is not available. You would have to open the relay box up to clean the points in it if they are corroded and the cause of no cranking.You can hot wire the relay to get the starter to crank over- I don't recall which terminals to jumper though.The points in the distributor will probably need to be cleaned of corrosion to to fire the spark plugs. I too would Use a fretsh gas can feeding the fuel pump to start it. Don't start or attemp to start it on old varnished gas or you will end up with stuck valves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter S Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 You need to check the ground. Make sure the strap connections are clean and tight. Then use a volt-ohmmeter to check all the connections in the starter circuit. One is going to be open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1952NewYorkerconvertible Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Re: 1952 Chrysler New Yorker convertibleI have many additional parts in boxes for missing parts not seen in the photos. I have a 7 foot long cardboard tube of wrapped stainless that is either new or refinished.*thanks to all who were polite and offered they're nice comments and advice. With the new battery, a new starter solenoid and cleaning the connections, it is now started.IT'S NOW FOR SALE IN THE BUY/SELL FORUM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Did you determine exactly which one of the above mentioned was the culprit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1952NewYorkerconvertible Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 All the above cept the engine was rebuilt and since not readily available a custom manufactured gas tank was installed by Chrysler fanatic Fred Horn at Horn Automotive in Marion, IA. in 2003.There was just a wiff on gas, not varnish as there was probably just a gallon or less used in and during the rebuild. (probably evaporated)It drove on and off the first transport back then and then that was it, Dad passed soon after.We cleaned everything and installed a new swith and starter solenoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c49er Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Where did you find a new fender panel mounter OE starter switch? Mitchells has one for $395.00! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Walling Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 c49er wrote"The starter relay points (their inside of relay) on the drivers side fender could be corroded causing no cranking. It's a square 3"X3" box with the battery cables going to it. This relay is not available. You would have to open the relay box up to clean the points in it if they are corroded and the cause of no cranking.You can hot wire the relay to get the starter to crank over- I don't recall which terminals to jumper though." I have a 55 Chrysler and the above box only contains a low amperage relay, (I don't know why they connect it with battery cables) I simply instaled a relay next to mine when I found out the cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c49er Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 It is easy to open the relay up and carefully file the points.... good for another 10 years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel matheson Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 some old cars you had to press to clutch all the down to start????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cahartley Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 ^Yup........some you had to be nearly an acrobat to start....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1952NewYorkerconvertible Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 <a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac268/funnyboytoys/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-01-04%2015.53.41.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2015-01-04 15.53.41.jpg"/></a> <p><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac268/funnyboytoys/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-01-04%2016.00.44-1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2015-01-04 16.00.44-1.jpg"/></a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack75 Posted October 29, 2023 Share Posted October 29, 2023 On 19-1-2015 at 03:07, c49er said: Het relais is gemakkelijk open te maken en de punten zorgvuldig in te vullen....goed voor nog eens 10 jaar! I opened my starter relay from my 1952 Chrysler and this is what I found out. I am afraid that this can’t be repaired? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c49er Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 Ooooh....not good🤨 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 (edited) You can replace the relay with a Ford style relay and it will work fine, but won't look like the original. Edited October 30, 2023 by 61polara (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack75 Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 That sounds no good C49 so I need a new one or an alternative like 61polara mentioned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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