Things You'll Need:
- Volt meter
- Wrench
- Ohmmeter
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Step 1
Check the battery voltage with a volt meter and visually inspect the exterior of the battery for cracks or corrosion. If the case is cracked or the voltage is low, the Charger's battery should be replaced.
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Step 2
Inspect the spark plug wires for cracks. Cracks commonly develop over time when the rubber outer shell of the spark plug wire dries out. Cracks severely diminish the wire's ability to deliver the spark produced by the ignition coil to the spark plugs.
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Step 3
Remove and inspect the Charger's spark plugs for fouled tips or broken porcelain. Remove the spark plugs with a wrench and inspect the tips for signs of corrosion or discoloration. If the tips are corroded, the spark plugs have likely been used for too long and should be replaced. Also, the color of the tip of the spark plug should be light brown. Spark plugs should also be replaced if the porcelain that surrounds the spark plug is cracked.
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Step 4
Remove and inspect the Charger's distributor cap and rotor for corrosion. The distributor is located at the rear of the engine in the center of the intake manifold. Remove the distributor's cap and inspect the metal contacts on the underside of the cap. If the metal points have a green color to them, replace the cap. The rotor is located in the center of the distributor underneath the distributor cap. Remove the rotor by pulling it straight up from the distributor and inspecting the metal tip of the rotor. Like the distributor cap, if the metal tip has a green color to it, replace the rotor.
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Step 5
Inspect the ignition points for pitting, burning or excessive wear. The Charger's ignition points are located directly next to the distributor's rotor and look like a pair of tweezers. The two tips of the "tweezers" open and close as the distributor turns. The contact points are located at the end of these tips and should be gray in color. If the points appear to be worn, usually indicated by a hole located in the center of each tip, the points should be replaced.
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Step 6
Check the distributor's condenser for a short by connecting an ohmmeter to the condenser. The condenser is a metal cylindrical-shaped object located next to the ignition points. The ohmmeter has two wires. Clip one wire to the back of the condenser and the other wire to the metal tip on the end of the wire leading from the top of the condenser. The condenser must be replaced if the ohmmeter produces any reading other than infinite.
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Step 7
Test the resistance of the Charger's ignition coil with an ohmmeter. Connect the two wires leading from the ohmmeter to the two threaded posts on top of the coil. The ohmmeter should read approximately 1.0 ohms resistance. The coil should be replaced if the reading greatly exceeds 1.0 ohms.
