Dodge Stratus Intermittent Starting

Tiny
RSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE STRATUS
  • 158,000 MILES
I have an '04 Dodge Stratus SXT. It is a 2.4L 4-cyl SOHC. I was having intermittent starting problems for a while, but nonetheless could always get it started. Changed my oil one day, and could not get the car started the next day. I know this is an ignition problem. I replaced my starter and it seemed to help. The problems then still persisted occasionally. After my next oil change, same problem, and so I took it in to a shop. They told me my crankshaft seal had ruptured and leaked oil onto my crankshaft position sensor, allowing my car not to start. This also explained why all I heard was the "click" of the solenoid/starter when attempting to start the car. They replaced the sensor, seals, even did a timing belt/water pump/tensioner replacement (since the car is pretty old and needed it). Now I am back in the same boat, the car starts intermittently and only "clicks" when it won't start. The problem is not as near as frequent as before, and it always seems that when I take it back in it starts just fine. A guy at the shop mentioned that it might be that they need to put an OEM sensor in instead of after-market, that sometimes older cars of my make reject the after-market parts. I just wanted to see if anyone else had any thoughts on this matter. Thanks!
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 AT 2:35 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
So when it clicks it doesn't turn over? Or it turns over but will not start?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
RSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
When it "clicks", it does not turn over; it does not even start to crank. It is the same symptom as if the starter was bad but the solenoid is still functioning. I had the new starter tested (just to be sure), and it checked out fine.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 AT 4:03 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Have a load test done on your battery and make sure the cable terminals are clean. And is this a stick or automatic and a coupe or sedan the wiring is different
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
RSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
The battery, alternator, and starter all tested to be okay. The terminals were just replaced. I checked fuses/relays and they appeared to be okay. It is an automatic, coupe.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 AT 7:30 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check where i've got the arrow pointing. That may be not making good contact as well as the ground on the transaxle. It could be a n iginition switch not making good contact but it would have to do it to check it. The only other ting I can think of is the pcm has a poor connection and not telling the starter to start.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 AT 7:47 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links