Ignition will not start?

95DODGEDAKOTA

MEMBER
1995 DODGE DAKOTA
2.5L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
207,000 MILES

My truck will not turn over, but it will push start as it is a manual transmission and run well until I turn the key off. When turning the key to start it nothing happens. The headlights are bright as the battery is new. Thinking it had something to do with the clutch pedal neutral sensor switch I bypassed this by removing the mechanical portion of the switch and wired the leads together. Still it won’t turn over or make any sound or attempt to turn over. Is this a problem in the starter relay? Thank you for your help!

Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 AT 5:30 AM

4 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
51,530 POSTS

It does sound like the starter or starter relay. Here is a guide to help check out the problem and I have included the starter wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works:

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

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Image (Click to make bigger)

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Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 AT 12:09 PM

95DODGEDAKOTA

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you, Ken! I appreciate your reply. There is another curious element to the problem. When the vehicle has sat overnight and is cold or has been off for several hours it will turn over and start fine, but after the engine has run for 20 minutes or longer, then the engine will not turn over or attempt to. I switched the starter relay switch with the AC relay as they are all the exact same relays, which didn’t change the no turn-over issue?

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Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 AT 12:26 PM

95DODGEDAKOTA