My starter is not working?

Tiny
ANK1981
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 DODGE AVENGER
  • 2.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I been having some starting issues and need some assistance on the problem. Every other day or so I been having issues starting my car in the mornings mainly. But today I had an issue had my car jumped let it run for about thirty minutes or so. I shut the engine off went into the house then went to go start my car again but again nothing. Just need to know what is causing this issue. I have had the battery, alternator, and starter and all checked out good. So what else do I look for and what am I missing here?
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Saturday, February 9th, 2019 AT 4:17 PM

44 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

If it always starts when you jump start it, I suspect there is an issue with an electrical connection. Most often, it is at the battery itself. Take a look through this link and let me know if it helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Now, what would be really helpful is when it doesn't start, is to check if the starter is getting power at the solenoid when the key is in the start position. If you can do that, it will really be helpful. Here is a link that shows how it is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

If that isn't the issue, we need to check the starter relay. Keep in mind, a starter can work one time and not the next. I attached a picture showing which one is the correct one to test. Here is a link that explains how to check a relay:

To be honest, my first suspect is a weak connection at the battery which is improved when a jumper cable clamp is put on it. So, check that first.

Here are a few links that may be helpful to you. I figured I would add them in case you need them.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Check out the diagrams (Below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Monday, April 1st, 2019 AT 11:16 AM
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
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  • 1998 DODGE AVENGER
  • 293,000 MILES
I drove the car friday nite without any problems. I go to start the car saturday, and it wont turn over. Everything has power- the lights, the radio, etc. It seems like there isnt any pwer getting to the engine
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Do you hear any light clicking under the hood from the starter relay, or do you hear a single rather loud clunk each time you turn the ignition switch to "crank"?

For a loud clunk, keep trying it until it cranks, which it will, ... Eventually. There's a simple repair for that. If the starter relay doesn't click, suspect the neutral safety switch. Try starting it in neutral instead of park. We can split the circuit into four parts and do all the preliminary testing right in the starter relay socket.

Measure the battery voltage too. It should be 12.6 volts. If it's 12.2 volts, it's good but discharged. Closer to 11 volts means it has a shorted cell and must be replaced.
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LANNCOR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 DODGE AVENGER
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
We just replaced the battery and now when we try to start the car it just clicks. What is happening now?
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi:
I need you to check two things. You will need a volt meter. First, check the battery power. It should be 12+ volts. Next, have a helper turn the key to the start position and check the smaller wire on the starter. You should have 12 volts there to. If you do, remove the starter and have it bench tested at a parts store. Chances are the solenoid is bad on the starter.

Before all of this, make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight, and the ground to the engine block is clean and tight too.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANK1981
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
  • 1997 DODGE AVENGER
  • 121,168 MILES
I am having some issues with my vehicle 2.5 liter v6. When I go to start the car the other day it acted like it didn't want to start. It was very slow start. Then yesterday try to start her up again now nothing. I do hear a rapid clicking noise when trying to start her. The battery is good, alternator is also good. Everything lights up on the dash but still nothing. What should I do now and what am I missing here?
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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The rapid clicking of the starter relay is the classic symptom of low voltage to the starter solenoid, either due to a run-down battery or a corroded cable connection. First measure the exact battery voltage. It should be 12.6 volts. If you find it's around 12.2 volts, it is discharged. Charge it at a slow rate for an hour or two, then try cranking the engine. If it's around 11 volts or less, it has a shorted cell and must be replaced.

If you do get the engine started, measure the battery voltage again while the engine is running, and tell me what you find.
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANK1981
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Okay, thank you I was leaning towards the battery as well. I did the thing were you can test your battery by turning on the headlights to see if they would dim or not and they didn't but my theory is doesn't mean the battery isn't bad right? And also there for awhile I would have to jump my car just about every morning then it would be fine for awhile then have to jump it again. So I am leaning towards that.
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
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Unfortunately this test of the battery is not accurate. Here is a guide that will show how to load test this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Let's run through this and report back what you find. However, if you need a battery here is a guide that will help with this.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

Thanks
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANK1981
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
  • 1997 DODGE AVENGER
  • 2.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,500 MILES
Hello, I have been having starting issues and having to get jump starts. Went to have my car checked battery, starter, alternator all checked out okay. But when I go to start my car nothing had to get a jump. When trying to attempt to start it would not start (crank but no start). My question is, what would causing this? What do I need to look for first? I was leaning towards the distributor or cap and rotor. I do not know. I need help please.
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning.

How did you test the battery and charging system? It sounds like you have low voltage and that starts at the battery.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANK1981
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  • 24 POSTS
Yes, had the battery and alternator tested at a shop the diodes were good.
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANK1981
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
And the check engine light came on then went off. Maybe I should have gotten it checked when it first came on.
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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There is long term memory in the system. You can still have it checked. It will just show inactive.

You have a voltage issue here. My gut is telling me it is battery related.

What do you mean by diodes checked?

What was the charging voltage?

Roy
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANK1981
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The alternator said the diodes were good. Funny thing is I replaced the battery twice by Interstate batteries something tells me there batteries are not any good or maybe my car does not like them, lol. Do not understand how I can replace two batteries less than a year.
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
That usually is a result of a failed alternator.

What do you mean the alternator told you the diodes were good? Do not understand that.

What is the voltage at the battery with the engine running?

Roy
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANK1981
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
I checked the battery with my multimeter and read 12.15 volts not a good reading and then I hooked up another digital meter that tells me the alternator and battery volts and it lid up red said the battery had 50 or less charge on it like I said before been having issues with the battery and when it had a very slow start the other day I had to place my foot on the gas and she fired right up. Any suggestions why it would start like that? Its weird
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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11 1 is very low. It needs to be 12 6.

I am still concerned about the charging voltage. Can I have the exact voltage

Roy
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANK1981
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
12.1 when I checked it.
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GLENN GILBERT
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
  • 1997 DODGE AVENGER
  • 2.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,000 MILES
I have the vehicle listed above ES model that was having a problem with stalling at idle and sometimes bucking when under acceleration. I went to start the car the other day and the engine spin fine but it did not crank. It sounded like the starter was just spinning. I tapped on the starter to see if the solenoid was bad and nothing changed. I then pulled a spark plug wire at the spark plug and cranked the engine and no spark. I then pulled a wire at the distributor cap and no spark. I then pulled a different wire and cranked the engine and the spark looked orange and very weak. Does this sound like a bad coil in the distributor?

Thanks
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 AT 8:50 AM (Merged)

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