I have a 97 dodge intrepid since the moment i bought the car it has been costing me money and I dont mean for gas! When I turn the key it goes through the motion of wanting to start but just cant bring itself to turnover on the first try why? Also I have replaced the starter two times and have had it for 5 months? the car is in excellent shape low milage and I dont want to get rid of it! Some please help !! Thank you!!
2007-07-08 02:08:26 · 9 answers · asked by corie77f 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Someone also mention to me that it could be from a bad fly wheel, I was told to replace it soon could this be a part of the prob?? the generator what is that (the altenator) because everything else works fine and that is new as well.
2007-07-08 02:24:15 · update #1
If you have had to replace the starter twice it could be a problem with the flywheel. The flywheel is 18 inches or more across and has gear teeth cut around the outside. When you hit the starter, a small gear on the starter motor jumps into mesh with the flywheel and turns it.
What can happen with an older car is that the gear teeth on the flywheel can wear out because the motor tends to start and stop in the same position all the time. If this is the case, the worn teeth on the flywheel can damage the small gear wheel on the starter motor.
But the starter still moves it a little. When you try again it engages more or less normally because the worn spot has moved a little and the engine turns over and starts. Fixing this means removing the transmission from the motor and replacing the flywheel or maybe moving it round to another spot, (a cheap and nasty solution). This might take two or three hours, depending on the exact layout of the car.
Apart from that, it sounds like a low battery. Batteries can last 5 years in a cold climate, but in a hot climate they may only last 2 years.
No car has a generator anymore, they went out by about 1960. The electricity is alternating current made by an alternator which is driven by one of the belts at the front of the motor. This is changed into direct current by diodes and the voltage is regulated by a little circuit. It's then used to charge the battery and operate lights, radio, wipers and so forth.
If the alternator is worn, the diodes are weak or the voltage regulation is not right, there is not quite enough power to charge the battery properly. That is specially true if you do a lot of short drives. Eventually the battery runs down and it can be difficult to start the car. It might take days or weeks to do this.
A car electrician can check the amount of power supplied by the charging system in a few seconds and can also check the ability of the battery to supply the power needed to start the car, that also only takes a minute or two.
Other sources of trouble are dirty or loose connections at the battery, or corrosion at the battery terminals. These are usually easy to fix. If the battery has removable caps on it, check that the acid in it is covering the plates. If not, add a dribble of distilled or deionised water so that it does. Do not use tap water, and only dribble the water in a little at a time so as not to overfill.
Wash the fingers or at least wipe them on a very wet rag straight afterward as there may be a little acid on top of the battery. It may be dangerous to clothes if left on them for a day or more and will certainly do slight damage to eyes.
Caution. if you need a light to look into the inside of the battery, do not use a match or lighter. Use a flashlight.
New diodes and regulators are generally inexpensive and easy to replace.
2007-07-08 03:01:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I also have a 97 Intrepid, pretty beat up now, but it wasw nice when I got it in 97.
I have replaced my battery 1 time, from a bad alternator.
I would say without looking at it, there is a bad connection.
Take it to a trusted service center and have them take a look.
2007-07-08 02:14:45 · answer #2 · answered by cgriffin1972 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When and if you replace the starter, make sure mating surfaces are clean, bolts evenly and snugly secured. Starters demand a very high current and every connection including battery cables must be perfect.
2016-04-01 03:09:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have alot of keys on your keyring, this may be your problem. Use only the set for your car and make sure that the keyring itself is not heavy. With the key being in a slight different position, it will make a "skip" in your ignition from what I understand. So, check this and if you have to replace again, make sure that they change all the parts. Some things are made of plastic also. Good luck!:>)
2007-07-08 02:17:03 · answer #4 · answered by cyn 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
That's odd.
Starters should last for YEARS.
Are you replacing starters because they are bad, or because your car won't start?
Maybe you should be looking at other issues.
Maybe bad ignition, fuel, or charging system, or electrical system.
Ihate to be the bearer of bad news, but those cars love to break timing belts and ruin engines.
If you get it running again, SELL IT.
2007-07-08 02:50:29 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be the starter selonoid, the ignition switch, and or the relay have a mechanic test these components
2007-07-08 02:26:14 · answer #6 · answered by Steven B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your description of the problem leaves me with more questions than answers.
2007-07-08 03:06:51 · answer #7 · answered by Ron B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those Dodges are notoriously unreliable. Get rid of it before you try to repair it with an axe.
2007-07-08 02:11:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
It's not the starter it is the generator, please take it to a different mechanic.
2007-07-08 02:12:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋