2002 Chrysler Sebring STARTER/ OR EGNITION/?

VMORAN84

MEMBER
2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
183,857 MILES

4 MONTHS AGO MY CAR STARTED STARTING ODD, WHEN I WOULD TURN THE KEY THE FIRST TIME IT WOULD JUST MAKE A CLICK SOUND AND THEN ON THE NEXT TURN START UP OVER A MONTH THIS GOT WORSE, IT TOOK MORE TURNS TO START UNTIL FINALLY IT LEFT ME STUCK AT A GAS STATION NO MATER HOW MANY TIME WE TRIED IT DIDN'T START WHEN TOE TRUCK ARIVED IT WOULD NO GO INTO NEUTRAL POSITION TO LOAD ONTO TRUCK. SINCE THEN WE CHANGED THE STARTED ON THE VEHICLE AND I WORKED GOOD FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN THE SAME TROUBLE BEGAN AGAIN UNTIL IT ONCE AGAIN WOULD NOT CRANK AT ALL. WE HAVE SWAPPED STARTERS AND THAT DIDN'T WORK THIS TIME, WE CHANGED ALL BATTERY TERMINALS AND CHECKED FOR GOOD BATTERY CHARGE CHECKED OK, CHECKED FUSES ALL SEE GOOD. CHECKED GROUND ON STARTED SEEMS FINE. WERE RUNNING OUT OF IDEAS

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,737 POSTS

Hi vmoran84. Welcome to the forum. REAL common problem with an inexpensive fix. Worn contacts in the starter solenoid. $20.00 for the pair. Otherwise just replace the entire starter motor.

It will get progressively worse over time. When it happened for the last time on my mother's '95 Caravan, she lost count after 700 attempts and a blister on her thumb!

To test before replacing, first you'll have to catch it when it's acting up. Have someone hold the ignition switch in the crank position. Touch a grounded test light to the two large terminals on the starter. The terminal with the heavy battery cable must have battery voltage all the time. The other large terminal, (under a gray rubber cap), should have battery voltage only when in "Crank" mode. If it's missing, the contacts are worn. Replacement isn't very difficult but the starter must be removed. Also, one contact is common to all Nippendenso starters on Chryslers and Toyotas. The other one has three versions. You must remove three bolts and the rear cover of the solenoid to see which style you have.

This is so common, you are likely to have the same problem if you install a used starter.

Caradiodoc