1995 Dodge Stealth Starting Problem

SMCENTEE

MEMBER
1995 DODGE STEALTH
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

Erractic no start problem, particularly (or coincidental) after car has been driven.
Symptom: turn key on and have lights, power, and voltage reading a little over 12v. Turn key to start and starter does not engage - meter does fall to 8 or 9. No ticking noise or anything - just nothing happens. Battery and cables are pretty new. Starter was replaced last year, and dealership has bench tested and says it is good; also said neutral safety switch is good. It may be coincidental, but sometimes stepping on the brake pedal then turning the key gets it going, and other times moving gear selector gets it going (there is excess play in the selector), other times nothing. I can return to the car an hour later, and doing nothing but inserting the key and turning it, the car starts right up.

2 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

I sounds like a bad starter. Once the starter is hot (engine heat and exhaust heat) it is drawing to much. So I would have the starter tested on the car as the problem is happening. Sense you now your car drive it a bit and take it to the parts store and have them test it then.

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Thursday, June 18th, 2009 AT 10:06 AM

CEESOL

MEMBER
1 POST

Smcentee,

the above post would be correct, but you said it was replaced last year and was tested as good.

I have the same problem as you, and I have figured out the problem on my own, and so can you.
The exact same "play" is what I've been doing until I started opening up the car piece by piece.

Your problem is the ignition switch.

See, playing around with the key turning it on and off was triggering the tumbler's metal slot to turn into the ignition switch. Which was slightly broken. Eventually at times it will catch the slot and turn it.

What you can do.
Grab a screwdriver and a flathead.
Open up the casing for the ignition tumbler just as you would to "steal" a car. Remove the ignition switch and scan for faulty plastic pieces. This was my situation.
Use your rather small flathead to insert into the ignition switch and attempt to start your stealth.
If it starts normally. Replace the ignition switch which you can find for about $30 at a junkyard.

Just reply if you need more info.

Cee

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Friday, June 19th, 2009 AT 12:57 AM