Engine not cranking over?

Tiny
JASONROBERTS02
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 138,000 MILES
Hello,
I am having a no crank, no start issue with my car
Here is what I know and what I have done so far:
- Battery is at a full charge and I check it before attempting to start each time I replace something.
- I took out the starter and had an auto parts store test the starter and they said it was perfect (it has about 10,000 miles on it)
- I tested the red battery cable going to the starter and it has full power.
- I tested the trigger cable (not sure if that is what it is called), the cable that should be powered when the key is in the crank position and it is not getting any power when the key is in the crank position.
- I replaced the ignition switch, no change
- I replaced the actuator pin going into the ignition switch, no change
- I replaced the neutral safety switch, no change
- The starter is grounded
What else should I test or replace? What am I missing here?
Thanks for any help or advice that anyone can give on this.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 12:44 AM

37 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try a security system reset first before any electrical stuff if battery was dirty or recently disconnected sets it off sometimes they go off on their own as well. See link.

This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

and

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 6:50 AM
Tiny
JASONROBERTS02
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I just tried this and no change. What else can I try?
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 7:57 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check the starter relay in PDC see if it is corroded if it is clean it and use dielectric grease on prongs maybe try tweaking them to fit tighter into PDC. If the brown cable going to starter does not get power then it is a bad connection, fuse box/relay or power-train is not sending signal to start. Which can be a connection/wiring issue.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 9:39 AM
Tiny
JASONROBERTS02
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I checked the starter relay and it is good. I even put in another to test it out. I can start the car by jumping the 10 and 11 pin of the starter relay fuse. That leads me to believe it is the neutral safety switch or ignition switch but both were just replaced. I also have an aftermarket alarm and remote lock system but it appears to be working fine. Could it be something in that?
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 9:46 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Yes the security system can be the problem there is already one in your car for anti theft that is why I sent the info on resetting the system with an added one it may be interfering with the current one. So if you can reset it (factory) then (aftermarket) or vice versa try that. Or disconnect aftermarket and see what you have.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:02 AM
Tiny
BLACKBIRD67
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 188,800 MILES
When engine is cold it starts correctly. After driving a distence and engine warms up start will not engage.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,699 POSTS
What are the symptoms when it doesn't crank? Do you hear anything? What happens to the brightness of the head lights or interior lights? Anything else that stops working? Which engine do you have?
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RAMSES1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE STRATUS
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
Hello my 2002 dodge stratus will not start I replaced the battery with a newone but still nothing what else could be wrong
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,699 POSTS
What's the symptoms? The battery is only one piece out of dozens in the starter system. Do the head lights or dome light stay bright when you try to crank the engine? Do you hear any sounds?
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SAM AHMED
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Crank but wont turn over.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
First thing to do is check for spark and fuel, absent of either one and it wont start.

Use a spark tester to check for spark, dont just ground the plug out as thats not a very good test. Also check for fuel pressure with a fuel pressure test guage.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TIM MEG SHELTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 177,000 MILES
My car's engine will not crank or start. I keep hearing a little clicking sound under dash. I have power to all inside and outside lights and windows and radio. The battery and starter are good.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
Are you getting power down at the starter trigger wire?

Here are two guides to confirm power or not:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out this guide down toward the bottom it shows the test.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

You will need to lift the car safely as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEEDY-J
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • DODGE STRATUS
Problems with a 2001 dodge stratus rt. Change a starter. Now the starter is the only thing turnning. Need help please, a simple job turned out to be a big job. :Twisted:
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
Remove the starter and check if it is in completly. It could be missing the flywheel witch would not crank over the car but the starter would just spin. When you changed starters were there any shims between the starter and the bell housing.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVY22
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,375 POSTS
What was it doing before? There are only a few things it can be,

1. A defective part
2. Incorrect ppart or installation
3. Inspect flywheel teeth to see if they are worn

thanks
jim

oh and leave some feedback if you were happy with your help, we all donate our time here helping others free of charge
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Sounds like its spinning but its not-an overrunnning clutch problem with the starter. Take it back out and if you can spin the drive in both direction, you have found your bad friend.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STRATUSGIRL2000
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 DODGE STRATUS
  • 134,235 MILES
Ive replaced battery, distributor, computer, and fuel system.
My car would nornally take about 3-4 cranks before starting and then would run fine. After about 4-5 times of turning it off otit would hesitate to start or start then kill. After it set for a while it would start right up. After it killed one day a very loud gringing like sound started when I tried starting it then went away as soon as it started. Now it wont start when I get in it all the lights come on how they should but when I go to start it there is just one light click. Its not multiple like it would if my battery was dead but a single click. I figure its my starter because ofy efforts to start it. Please help I need my car for work.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
It is possible that your battery has drained down so much that it is just throwing the solenoid out.
On the other hand the solenoid for the starter may be bad. You can have either tested for free at Advance Auto or Auto Zone.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AMANDA22
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I was driving and my car was perfectly fine then all of a sudden my car started sputtering and shaking from under the hood. I pushed the gas and it didn't go anywhere. I pulled over and tried to start it and my car would crank but not crank over. Have any idea whats wrong with it?
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM (Merged)

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