Chrysler Repair: wont get fire, starter solenoid, fusible links

Question
1985,chrysler fifth avenue, engine-318,
car was running, power wire for radio was from fuse box to radio,radio was not in car, wire was still hot, grounded out, car shut off,ain't getting power to starter, but jumping starter off i can tell I ain't getting any fire. can you help with both these problems: what could be causing no power to starter, what could be causing no fire

Answer
Hi Watson,
By "fire" do you mean spark? I'll assume that is what you mean.
I assume that you are able to get the starter to energize by jumping between the fat red wire and the brown wire on the starter solenoid, but that the ignition switch is not working at the "start" position.
My knowledge of rear wheel drive V-8 powered engine Chryslers is very meager. But based on what you told me and on the way Chrysler sets up their electrical system, I suspect that one of the fusible links has blown. These fusible links are solid color wires (look like colored spaghetti) that act like fuses and open by burning away when they conduct too much current. I suspect that instead of the radio fuse blowing the fusible link that supplies that fuse blew open. That same fusible link probably also provides power to the strarter relay or to the ignition switch and so when it went it took out your starter and also your spark coil power source. So I would look at the wires coming out of the + pole cable clamp. The big red one goes to the starter, the other one may go thru a disconnect and then nearby it goes to a splice where there are a number of these fusible links with different color coverings connected to it. I would try pulling on each of the links (pulling at either end of each link simultaneously) to see if you can find one that is no longer a solid wire, but rather will separate or break apart when you pull on it. You may have to unwrap a protective covering around the packet of fusible links to get to both ends of each link to test each one of them for failure. When you find the burned out one, buy another one with the same color covering and splice it into place to the stub ends of the old link. It would be good if you had a soldering gun to use solder to make the connections at each end permanent and protected from being corroded or disloged. Also wrap the joints with electrical tape to prevent short circuiting.
This is my best guess. If I had a circuit diagram I could probably tell you exactly which color fusible links to look at. You may have to go to a Chrysler dealer or a trade auto parts store to get a replacement fusible link. Let me know if this advice works out for you. If it doesn't, I could go to a local library and look up the wiring diagrams for your car.
Roland