Went to start my car and it didn't do anything, just a click

RDBRACKETT185

MEMBER
1999 DODGE NEON
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

Hi everyone. So I went to start my car and it didn't do anything. Just a click (but I did have lights, dash lights and all that). I assumed it was the starter and bought/put in a new one and still nothing. The fuse and relay seem to be fine. Had the battery tested and that's fine too. I don't know where else to go from here. Maybe the starter I bought us bad? I do not know. Any help is appreciated.

3 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Hi,

If the starter is clicking then it normally is the starter. However, we need to start by measuring voltage at the starter to see if we have sufficient voltage to turn the starter on.

Where did you get the starter from? Was it new or from a salvage yard?

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

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Monday, October 21st, 2019 AT 2:29 PM

RDBRACKETT185

MEMBER
2 POSTS

It's brand new from AutoZone.

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Monday, October 21st, 2019 AT 9:39 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Okay. So let's measure the voltage at the starter on the wires from the diagram I provided before.

Since the starter is new we can assume it is okay for now but if everything else checks out, then you may have gotten a faulty starter. However, since this was the issue before we will probably find something else but we need to start with what the voltage is at the starter.

Then use a socket and breaker bar on the crank pulley bolt to see if the engine turns over by hand. A locked up engine will cause a starter to just click because it can't turn it over.

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Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019 AT 5:47 PM