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Engine shut off and will not restart

Tiny
GRIMAPPRENTICE
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 DODGE AVENGER
  • 0.6L
  • 3 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 164,000 MILES
I was driving when my ABS, traction control, and red brake light came on and when I stopped at a light my car just shut off and won't start again. Tried to jump it and it didn't help. It won't even make a noise like it's trying to turn over. All the lights and radio just flicker on and off. I'm at a complete loss as to what's happening.
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Sunday, January 9th, 2022 AT 4:33 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
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Hello,

It sounds like you might have a faulty alternator. When the alternator goes bad it will discharge the battery, rather than charging it. And that will stall the engine when you come to a stop. If the discharge is high enough, it can really damage the battery and can make it difficult to even jump start it.

So, it is likely that the battery is bad. You might want to charge the battery if you are able and see if that allows you to start. However, if the alternator is not charging the battery the engine will stall again as soon as the battery gets discharged.

Also, this issue can happen due to wiring issues from the battery to the alternator. So, inspection of the cable is important.

Here are a couple of helpful articles:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.
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Sunday, January 9th, 2022 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
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Thank you. When I can I'll have it checked out its dark now. Would it help to also to let you know that before that happened my car wasn't accelerating very well it would speed up, but I had my pedal to the ground and it was slowly gaining speed.
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Sunday, January 9th, 2022 AT 7:02 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome. Let me know what you find.
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Sunday, January 9th, 2022 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
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Okay, so battery and alternator were good and so was the wiring, but the starter was bad. I replaced it and there is no change, still it won't start or even try. The lights all come on inside and the headlights but it's not doing much else.
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Monday, January 10th, 2022 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
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So, when you try to start it now, what exactly does it do?
Does it make any clicking noise at the starter?
Do you have any warning light illuminated on the dash?
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Monday, January 10th, 2022 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
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I don't hear anything all that happens is might interior and head lights come on then quickly flash off.
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Monday, January 10th, 2022 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
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Interestingly the symptom you are describing sounds like a faulty ignition switch. However, the initial issue sounded like a charging system problem.
Is the anti-theft light on? If the immobilizer is triggered it can have similar no start issues. As the key will not do anything.
Try removing the battery cable and wait 10 minutes. See if that resets it.
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Monday, January 10th, 2022 AT 8:20 PM
Tiny
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I'll try that tomorrow when I have light, I was also thinking ignition switch.
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Monday, January 10th, 2022 AT 8:23 PM
Tiny
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Sounds good. Keep me posted.
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Monday, January 10th, 2022 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
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Hey, I have a quick question does the ignition switch need to be programed?
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
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Well, the ignition switch didn't help, so I have no idea.
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
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So, is it still just not doing anything when you try to start it?
I am assuming the battery has plenty of charge and is in good shape.

Is the security light illuminated on the dash? That is the other factor that can trigger no start.
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
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These are the lights that come on when I start the car for when they do stay on.
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
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Could you upload a video of what it does when you try to star it?
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
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Yes, I will send it in the morning hopefully.
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Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 AT 10:34 PM
Tiny
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Sounds good.
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 8:43 AM
Tiny
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Well, I finally got a chance to get to the car and now it has no power, I can't even pop my trunk.
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 12:02 PM
Tiny
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That is strange. Did any of the component stayed on?
You did not have the battery issue before, right?
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
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No, I had no issues before the guy I'm getting the from is supposed to come in the morning. If he can't fix it, I told him he can just take it back. I don't have the funds to keep up with it.
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
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Got it. Let me know how it goes.
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 2:25 PM

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