hello
i have a 1973 442 with a 350cid. when i try to start the car the starter wont kick in, ive connected the leads on the solenoid with a jumper, and it spun up so its getting power, the battery is fine, so is the ignition switch. the headlights and accesories all work, as well. i was thinking maybe the neutral safety switch is fried, but i was wondering if anybody here had any other ideas?

 

When you say the starter doesn't kick in, do you mean it doesn't turn at all or that it spins but doesn't engage the flywheel? If the latter, it could be the starter drive or the solenoid. If the former, it could be the neutral switch. Disconnect the purple wire from the solenoid and check the voltage to ground when a helper holds the key in the START position. If you get 12 volts, the neutral switch and ignition switch are likely good. Next pull the connector with the two purple wires off the neutral switch at the base of the steering column and jump across the terminals in the connector. Now try to start the car. If it works, the switch is bad.

 

sounds like the solinoid to me