One night, I started up my car (1996 Dodge Stratus). The starter wouldn't disengage for about 10 minutes, even when I turned the car off and removed the key. It eventually shut off and now when I try to start it, there is just silence, not even a clicking sound. The lights do not dim when I attempt to start it, but the radio and wipers won't work, but the power windows are fine. The instrument cluster does not even show the "fasten seat belt" or the "check engine" lights in the "on" position, but the "brake" and odometer lights show. I tried jump-starting the car, but I think the batteries are fine. What seems to be the problem? Does my starter need to be replaced? Do I need a wire replaced somewhere? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
2007-11-05 07:07:16 · 7 answers · asked by Gregory G 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If you have a volt meter the battery should read 12.85 volts if it's fully charged. If not the battery should be charged on an automatic charger @2 amps overnight. Put the car on jack-stands and check all the starter solenoid wiring. Drop the tin plate beneath the transmission torque converter. Its between the automatic transmission pan and the oil pan on the motor.
When you remove this pan you will be able to inspect the starter drive. It should be disengaged. The Bendix drive on the starter should not be touching the large diameter ring gear. If it happens to be engaged remove the negative battery cable and remove the starter. Tag the small solenoid wires so they don't accidentally get mixed up.
It's best in your case to buy a re-manufactured starter with the best warranty possible. From your description the starter drive would not disengage from the ring gear it may have also chewed up the ring gear. I cant believe however that the starter actually was cranking the engine over for 15 full minutes with the key turned off. The battery would have died well before 15 minutes. The starter windings would have melted the glue that separates the wires around the armature windings and field windings.
Before making a lot of repairs have the key cylinder on the steering column inspected. Something is not right here.
2007-11-05 07:38:09 · answer #1 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yet another component you should investigate is once you're hooking up the wires to the starter, they do no longer look to be touching one yet another no longer except they pass on an identical submit at the same time. If the cord that engages the starter touches the cord for the ignition change, it could have a sluggish source of power as long via fact the secret's became on. If it has touched the battery cord it is going to stay engaged till the ability is bumped off.
2016-11-10 08:56:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would start out checking the fuses in the car, if there isn't anything wrong with the fuses, remove the starter and take it to a place that will test it for you such as Autozone, or Advance Auto Parts. There are 2 fuse boxes a make sure you check them both.
2007-11-05 07:17:42 · answer #3 · answered by Jules 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dirty batt. connections will lead to this sort of problem.
The starter solenoid contacts are fused together not allowing
the starter to disengauge.
Need new starter.
2007-11-05 08:24:09 · answer #4 · answered by PENMAN 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yup ,,,its burned out, and maybe even the surrounding wire
that is connected to the starter,,
2007-11-05 07:19:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
new starter....if it did what mine did....when I took it off..peices of it fell out...it was funny when the store wanted to test it 1st..to make sure...and I turned upside down and peices were falling out of it...and told them..I'M sure.
2007-11-05 07:16:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
your starter is junk and needs to be replaced.
2007-11-05 07:17:18 · answer #7 · answered by amanda b 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋