Will not start sometimes, it does not even turn over?

Tiny
GENE H
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
My 96 town & country will not start sometimes, it does not even turn over. I have plenty of power.
I have replaced the starter, battery, ignition switch,
starter relay and ASD relay. I keep trying to start it and nothing and then with out touching anything on my next try it starts. The cables are in good shape and the wires are in tacked,
Please help!
Friday, December 11th, 2009 AT 6:12 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
What are the symptoms? Do you hear one loud clunk from the starter but it doesn't spin the engine? If so, that's a sign of worn solenoid contacts in the starter. Did you put in a used one or a rebuilt one? This is a real common problem and the chances of a used starter doing the same thing are real likely.

If it does not make any loud clunk, listen for clicking of the starter relay while a helper turns the ignition switch. If it also does not click, bypass the relay with a jumper wire or by removing its cover, reinstalling it, and squeezing the contact. If it cranks when you squeeze it, suspect the engine computer. The neutral safety switch function is performed by the computer instead of a simple, reliable switch. Not sure how that helps the owner, but I ran into that with a '96 model still under warranty. Double check the shift lever. Be sure it's solidly in park or try it in neutral. Also be sure the indicator in the instrument cluster says "park". If it doesn't, suspect a problem with the "PRNDL" switch.

If the starter relay does click, watch the headlights or dome light. If they get real dim when trying to crank the engine, check the battery cables and particularly the cable connections to the battery posts.

Caradiodoc
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 31st, 2020 AT 2:05 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links