my engine died and now the crank won't turn over?

Question

I have a 2003 Dodge 1500, 4.7 engine

Answer 1

Is your battery good?

Is the starter good?

If yes and yes then it's time to try baring the engine over.

The real question is, how did it die? What were the circumstances? Was it hot? When was the last time you changed the oil? How's the coolant?

If both the battery and the starter are good and the engine won't even turn over than you need to try manually baring the engine over to see if it seized. If you can turn it then it is still just something wrong electrially, or mechanically with the starter coupling. If you can't manually force the engine over than you seized it. Have fun buying a new motor.

Good luck.

Answer 2

(1) If the starter drive is jammed the engine won’t turn over, put it in gear and rock backwards and forwards.

(2) If the battery is defective or dead it will have to be recharged. Make sure the connections are clean and tight.

(3) Check the solenoid electrical connections. Clean and tighten if necessary.

(4) If it slowly turns over but does not fire, check whether the starter motor is faulty. If so, it will need to be repaired or replaced.

(5) Check the spark plugs. Adjust or replace the contact breaker points. Wipe dry the the leads and distributor cap interior.

(6) Check inside the distributor cap. Spray the inside with a water repellent, then wipe it dry with a clean cloth.

(7) Check the ballast resistor and ignition feed for faulty connections.

(8) Fuel may not be reaching the carburetor or injectors as the result of a blockage or a faulty fuel pump. Disconnect the fuel pipe from the
carburetor and check to see if this is the case. If there is a blockage try tapping the pipe. Blow through the pipe to clear any blockage.

(9) There may be a blockage in the carburetor itself. Strip the carburetor and clean up the fuel jets.

(10) The cylinders may be flooded with gas. Hold the accelerator pedal hard to the floor and turn the engine over. If the engine will not fire take out the spark plugs, dry them, then regap them and try to start it again.

(11) If the engine backfires, the ignition timing is incorrect. Adjust the timing. Also, consider having the timing belt replaced!

(12) Check that the air filter is not excessively blocked. If it is, clean it and try starting the car.

(13) In a fixed-jet carburetor, the idle jet may be blocked. Remove the idle-jet and blow it clear.

(14) If there is a loud screeching sound when you start the engine, the fan belt or the power steering drive belt may be loose or worn. Adjust the belt tension.

(15) If the engine stalls while it is cold, the idling speed is too low. Adjust the idle speed screw or the choke fast idle screw on the carburetor until the speed is correct.

(16) If the engine stalls while it is hot, the choke may not be opening completely. Check that the choke cable is returning fully and that the choke flap is opening.

(17) Check to see if there is an air leak in the inlet manifold. Look for a hissing noise at the inlet manifold joints. If so, check and tighten the manifold nuts.

Other causes for engine not turning over are:
dead alternator
out of gas
corroded or loose battery cable(s)
automatic transmission not fully locked in PARK
standard transmission clutch not fully depressed
a bad safety neutral switch

OR

a faulty security system:

Does the vehicle have a theft security system? If it does, and the behavior is that the starter motor works but the engine will not "catch and run" then I suspect that you have a faulty security system that is telling the engine controller to turn off the fuel injectors to keep you from stealing the vehicle. The easiest way to defeat this is to disconnect the theft security module circuit. It is located above the glove box and you will need to remove the glove box to get to it. VERY IMPORTANT: when you gain access to the module (it will have a 21- or so pin plug on it) only unplug that plug from the module while the engine is up and RUNNING at that very moment. Otherwise the system will think you are a thief and permanently shut down the engine until you can tow it to a dealer for reprogramming.

Answer 3

A couple of things could be going on. I think it is too new to have any serioous problems. It could be a bad battery or possible starter went bad. I would try to jump first. If you get it started take the car to a local auto parts store. They should do a battery test for free. They will also check your stater for free as well.

Answer 4

You didn't did you? Forgot to check the oil for over a year now? Locked up internally damaged motors are very expensive to replace. I wish your engine a bad starter. Not a connecting rod broken. If you cannot find any oil on the dipstick and it smells like crude oil burnt dark black and nasty its MOTOR TIME.

Answer 5

You said it will not turn over, is the engine seized up? If that is not the problem them check battery, starter and solenoid. It could also be the ignition switch.

Answer 6

well if it wont turn at all, i could be the battery, if the battery is dead, make sure to get the alternator tested as it could be the reason that the battery died, but if this is not he case then you should have your electrical system checked starting with your distributor

Answer 7

Sounds like a dead battery. If the battery is new you may need a starter or alternator.

Answer 8

Dead battery or engine is froze up -checked your oil lately ?

Answer 9

alternator went out or the engine has locked up

Answer 10

consider the following:
battery
fuse
alternator
starter
take it to your nearest auto parts (auto zone) and they do a free diagnostics for you