My 2001 Dakota has the V6 in it

TIGERMAN610

MEMBER
2001 DODGE DAKOTA
193,000 MILES

My 2001 Dakota has the V6 in it. It seems to not have power at the ignition switch. I took the battery cables loose, cleaned the posts and cable ends then reconnected. When I tried it it still wouldn't operate the starter AND the dash gauges quit working. The stereo, headlights, interior lights, etc. All work fine. I even tried jumpstarting it. Still nothing. Feels like no power at key. Can you help me?

Thursday, February 28th, 2013 AT 8:24 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

Start by measuring the voltages in the starter relay socket. This is easiest with a test light you can see but a voltmeter will work too. One terminal will have 12 volts all the time. One will have 12 volts when you turn the ignition switch to "crank".

Move the test light's ground clip to the battery's positive post, then test at the two remaining terminals in the socket. One must show continuity all the time, and the last one will have continuity only in "park" or "neutral".

Find out which one of those is missing, then we'll work on that part of the circuit.

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Thursday, February 28th, 2013 AT 9:07 PM