Car will not start, radio not working

Tiny
CHAUNFA
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Car worked fine last night no indications of anything wrong. Turning the key I have dash lights and power windows work and dome light works but not the radio, which only makes me wonder why not; i.E. What link this might mean.

Fuses checked okay.

car will not turn over, or 'clicking' so either the security switch is bad or something else that I cannot figure out.

Thanks for any suggestions
Friday, May 24th, 2019 AT 12:21 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

This could be a couple of different things, but let's start with the starter relay. With an assistant cranking the ignition switch, I am going to need you to get a voltage reading from pin #81 at the starter relay. I have included a link down below for you to go to if you are un familiar with how to use a multi-meter as you will need to use one to do this.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

In the diagrams down below I have included a Starting System wiring diagram as well as a relay description for you. Please get the voltage reading and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Saturday, May 25th, 2019 AT 3:13 AM
Tiny
CHAUNFA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you. Fingers crossed.
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Saturday, May 25th, 2019 AT 8:25 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,798 POSTS
Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
CHAUNFA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for your follow up.

It turned out to be the ignition fuse. Of interest to note, we had checked all fuses, including the ignition fuse, and all checked out and then we (eventually) switched fuses and the car started right up. Now learning that old cars have old fuses; fuses that corrode from wear and tear even though the fuses has not broken.

Lesson learned? To periodically change fuses, or at a minimum periodically simply pull each fuse to check for wear and tear corrode and to keep back up fuses in the trunk, along with 'needle nose' pliers for fuse pulling.

Your response/support is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Robert Alsted
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 8:34 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,798 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
MMARTINE1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 124,000 MILES
Each morning my car won't start. All of my lights come on. Headlights don't seem to dim when the key is turned to the crank position. If I keep my ignition cranked and press all the way down on my accelerator the car starts eventually. It starts very slowly. I usually will keep the ignition cranked for about 20 seconds at a time with the gas pedal all of the way down and then turn the key to off for a few seconds. The first few times I'll hear nothing, but then after a few of these cycles the car will slowly start to turn over. After about 6 or so of these cycles the car starts up and I have no other driving issues. When I leave work after 8 hours the car starts up relatively fine, but after having it sit overnight for about 12 hours the problem starts again. I'd like to go to my mechanic with an idea of what he should be looking at.
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
Would have starter draw test and battery load test done. Also make sure battery terminals are clean and tight.
Hope this helps
Thanks for donate
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMARTINE1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the quick response. Do you think it's significant that the car starts up if it sits for only 8 hours or so, but doesn't want to start after sitting overnight?
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
I try not to think about machinery but tests will tell whagt's up
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CLML
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 136,000 MILES
If the car has sat overnight and it has rained, it will turn over, but will not start.
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,117 POSTS
Chances are the ignition wires distributor cap are getting wet and causing the ignition to short and not provide spark to the plugs. I would start by replacing them to see if that helps. It's the cheapest way to start.
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIG BILL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 184,857 MILES
98 stratus idles fine. Surges at 2300 rpm and wont accelerate. Changed cam and crank sensor then had it flashed. Sometimes wont start?
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Next time it refuses to start don't wait for it to make up its mind-do below immediately to determine if its fuel or spark problem

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if okay-check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,cap and rotor,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEPETO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,100 MILES
Stopped my '98 dodge stratus @ grocery store, came out, vehicle turns over rapidly enough but will not start now
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if okay-check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,cap and rotor,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing

If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems
with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time/broken or jumped timing
belt/chain.
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SLOWALKIINJON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 191,000 MILES
Recently ignition switch failed would not turn either to on position or to the acc position. Locksmith was called and came out and repaired switch. (Did not replace) After repair nothing which worked off of the switch--turn signals, wipers, radio, etc, worked. As I was driving it back home suddenly everything started working except for the air conditioner blower and I also noticed there was a warning light on the air bag. Later that same day I also noted the switch would not turn to the acc position. Called locksmith and he came back out and got switch to work but nothing would work in the acc position. He finally got this to work but still no a c blower and air bag warning light still on. Locksmith now says there is nothing he did which would cause this problem and refuses to work anymore on it or accept any responsibility. Others are talking as if it might run as high as $700 to replace steering column and wiring. Am 65 years old, disabled, living on social security and cannot afford that. Any ideas appreciated
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello, as far as the blower motor, check the basics. Fuse 1 --30 amp in the junction block, goes hot when you turn on the key. Fuse 16-- 40 amp in the power distribution center under the hood, hot all the time. Not only check the fuse, but check that the fuse circuit is hot when it should be, use a testlite. At the ignition switch wiring connector, check 2 wires for voltage, key on, pink with black tracer and black with orange tracer. Maybe your not able to do any testing, but, I don't how else to help. Goodluck
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THEEDSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I just got this car it had been sitting for awhile. They said it needed a fuel pump. I installed that and new fuel filter, cleaned out tank and put in 5 gals super unleaded. Car has run three times. Very short distance ( 1/4 mile) It has stalled every time and wont restart.I have been able to restart it once, now it wont crank. It runs very well while in operation and then stalls just like I turned it off, while driving at lower speeds. Coulld this be a relay problem?
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,723 POSTS
Hi theedster. Welcome to the forum. The first thing to do when it doesn't start is to listen for the hum of the fuel pump. You should hear it run for one second after turning on the ignition switch. If you hear that hum, the fuel pump is working. They rarely quit while driving. When they fail, it is almost always a failure to start up.

The pump will turn on again during engine rotation, cranking or running. If it does not, it is most often because the Engine Computer is not turning on the Automatic Shutdown (ASD) relay in response to missing pulses from the camshaft position sensor. That sensor can fail completely but it is very common for them to become heat-sensitive and fail while driving. Hearing the pump run while cranking can be difficult. A better method is to use a cheap digital voltmeter to measure the voltage on the dark green / orange stripe wire in the connector for the coil pack or either of the small wires on the back of the alternator if you can reach them. You should see around 12 volts for one second after turning on the ignition switch and again while cranking the engine. If it doesn't come back during cranking, suspect the camshaft position sensor.

When it doesn't crank, do you hear one kind of loud clunk from the starter? If so, suspect worn contacts in the starter solenoid. They can be replaced for 20 bucks, but most people just replace the entire starter. This is particularly common with the small silver Nippendenso starter.

Caradiodoc
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JBLECK
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE STRATUS
1998 Dodge Stratus V6 cranks over but will not start. I tested the automatic shutdown relay to insure proper PDC operation according to instructions in Haynes Manual, I verified terminal 30 of the relay has voltage present all the time, next step is to check terminal 86, where according to the manual I should only have voltage when the ignition is in the ON position, but I have voltage when the ignition is in the OFF position. Could this be the source of my problem?
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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)

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